Grateful to be part of the eco solution

Monique Portegys.

With a focus on the positive, Whangarei's EcoSolutions manager Monique Portegys might be tired, but she's hopeful. She'd never eat a custard square while driving but would chance playing guitar and doing fire poi at the same time.

1. Describe yourself in three words.

Tired, hopeful, grateful.

2. What is the most important advice you have ever been given?

Don't try and eat a custard square while driving.

3. When it's been a full-on week, what is your favourite way to unwind?

Taking a long walk out on the coast followed by a glass of wine or seven.

4. What is the one thing you could not live without each day?

Somebody smiling at me.

5. Do you have a nickname, and if so, what's the story behind it?

I used to be called "Squeak" or "Deak" by my family, which were shorted versions of squeaky deaky which kinda rhymed with Monique, but who really knows where these things come from?

6. Tell us something that most people don't know about you.

I used to be called "Squeak" or "Deak" by my family.

7. Describe your role and what you love about it.

I work to re-inspire people to reconnect and love their environment, and I make sure the stationery cupboard is well stocked. I love it because it makes me feel like I'm part of the solution rather than part of the problem, especially when the stationery cupboard is well stocked.

8. As a child, who or what did you want to be when you grew up? And why?

My dad said I wanted to be a nun. I guess that didn't work out.

9. Do you have any party tricks?

When I'm partying I think I have lots of party tricks like playing the guitar and doing fire poi, sometimes at the same time.

10. Describe a typical Monday morning.

Why focus on the bad things in life?