By Lauren Owens
Fred Parker walks to the top of Mauao every day - even thought he's 91 next month and had two knee replacements 18 months ago.
"It's clean air, no traffic fumes, good exercise and I think it does me the world of good," Mr Parker said of his daily
exercise regime.
The Avenues resident usually walks up by himself with the use of two sticks, stopping to say hello to those who cross his path.
As he passes a group of foreigners stopped on the hillside, watching a ewe give birth, he greets them with a "welcome to New Zealand".
A lot of the regular walkers know Mr Parker and one man asks where he's been because he hasn't seen him for two months.
"I've been here, every day, up and down," comes the reply.
He enjoys meeting people from around the world and is quick to tell a young Japanese girl that he has hosted some Japanese tourists in his house, the most recent having just left a fortnight ago.
Mr Parker took up tramping at 70 after his wife died. He has walked his way around a lot of the country's tracks including having walked 40 times around Lake Waikaremoana.
He is also an avid yoga fan.
He has worked with wood for 40 years but now does it just for pleasure.
"I make things to give away. I don't like to be rushed," he explains.
He teaches tourists visiting with him how to make anything from wine tables to guitar stools.
Currently, he is working on a small child's chair made out of mahogany from Nigeria that would sell for $2000. When asked what his family think of his daily walks, Mr Parker says "they think I'm mad".
