Flaxmere's Henare O'Keefe says his first school uniform remains his favourite Christmas present.
The Hastings councillor chats to Mark Story two days out from another "full on" O'Keefe Christmas Day.
With your scores of foster children, how do you manage the logistics of an O'Keefe Christmas?
To be honest our Christmases are pretty full-on, focusing on those who wouldn't normally have a Christmas. It's how we have all chosen to spend the day. Everyone chips in from the oldest to the youngest. It's quite a sight to behold and we love it.
What's your most precious Christmas memory?
I'll never ever forget the looks on the faces of our foster children when they opened their presents in the morning. Pam [wife] and I would just sit there in our PJs and soak it all up. Though they weren't expensive gifts (most were from the $2 shop because that's all we could afford). You'd think they were unwrapping a zillion dollars. They were so grateful, humble and over-the-top happy. They literally screamed with delight when they opened each prezzie. They'd barely open one present than they'd quickly move on to the next. Made Pam and I feel like a zillion dollars.
Many claim Christmas has become too commercial – what say you?
I totally agree. We seem to be forgetting the real meaning behind Christmas, that being the birth of our lord and saviour Jesus Christ and what he stood for.
Favorite present ever received?
My first school uniform. My mum and dad were extremely poor. They sacrificed so much for us kids. The uniform was bought a size too big so that it would last at least a couple of years. I laid it out neatly under my mattress every night so it would stay creased. I felt like a prince when I first entered the gates of Ngata Memorial College in Ruatoria. Some kids made fun of me because the uniform was obviously too big, but I didn't care. They say the clothes don't maketh the man, well on this occasion it did. I'll always be eternally grateful to my mum and dad.
What's your No.1 Christmas wish?
That love would become our top priority. Love is not a good part of our lives - it's the most important part. Life without love is worthless.