What was your first car?
My first car was a delicious, banana-coloured Toyota Corolla station wagon. It was very reliable and transported my friends and I to and from Victoria University.
Who taught you to drive?
A dear friend, Wayne Holland, was the first person to attempt to teach me to drive. We were in Waitarere, a beautiful beach spot north of Levin, where our families went camping.
I wouldn't do as I was told, so went to a driving school after that.
Wayne won't let me forget my obstinance.
Most memorable road trip in New Zealand?
Driving to my marae for the first time. My husband, Clayton, and I, with our kids, Frankie and Milana, drove around the beautiful East Coast to Hiruharama, (inland between Ruatoria and Tokomaru Bay). As with all our road trips, it took a while, and we had lots of stops along the way. Amazing scenery and one of the most fulfilling journeys for us all.
Most memorable road trip overseas?
Clayton and I were living in London (pre-Google maps) and had our first weekend away to France. We drove from Paris to the Champagne region in a Ford Escort. It started with me doing the navigation.
We took a left turn instead of a right one and only when we travelled under the Charles de Gaulle Airport runway did Clayton say something cheeky. We travelled around the back roads and got lost a few times more. Eventually, we stayed in a chateau that Clayton had booked. Napoleon had stayed there a wee while back.
The other guests at the chateau were French, and the food and wine was pure bliss on toast.
What would be your dream road trip and in what car?
I would love to go to Portugal. I would be travelling around Portugal in my Mercedes SL230 convertible with Clayton, stopping at seaside spots and eating sardines. Then I would carry on - Spain, Italy, France.
I'd go to the galleries, markets and museums, meet the locals, eat and drink and breathe.
What do you listen to when driving?
I like whatever is popular at the time, and whatever my daughters are loving on the radio. At work everything is New Zealand music, which we love. Dub is good in the car.
Great day trip out of Auckland?
My favourite trip is driving up to Matakana for the Saturday markets. A must-have icecream and a swim and play at a beach. Then it's a good old drive around, finding lemon stalls on the side of the road and placing coins in the tin. Finishing off the day with fish and chips at Leigh.
What irritates you most about other drivers?
I don't like pushy drivers who lack courtesy and charm on the road.
I also hate being caught in the middle lane on the motorway, between two very, very large trucks. My heart races.
What's your one failure as a driver?
I don't know what goes on under the bonnet of the car. That is why I have always belonged to the AA.
Who cleans the car and how often?
The car gets a quick hose down now and then - more then than now.
But, I must say, the resident spider was removed for the photo shoot.
Celebrity/famous person you'd most like to be your driving companion for a road trip?
Graham Norton. I think it would be a hoot. Though I wouldn't let him near any levers.
How did you keep the kids entertained on road trips?
For long trips, they will watch a DVD some of the time. Recently, Mindcraft on the iPad has taken over from DVDs. For short trips we usually sing along to music, play games (number plate, alphabet and I Spy.)
