Nerine | Onehunga, Auckland

“Going back to 1963, I lost my husband, and I never realised I had so many friends, and they’re still around today. All I have to do is pick the phone up, and they’re there, and I have repaid that exactly the same way.

I had two children. One was six months old, and one was 21 months old, and I lived in Onehunga until my little girl was ready to start school, and then I brought a home down at Graham’s Beach, Manukau Heads, with a store attached, and my friends were always welcome. I was there for about 15 years, and then I came back to good old Onehunga, and I’ve been here ever since. It’s great to know that your friends are there, even if you’re just down in the dumps, you want a washer changed in the tap, or your car lubed. I have a nephew that always looks after my car. I’ve learned that friendship has two doors. One going in, and one going out. They come in and help you, and you repay them in exactly the same way at their time they need it, or even if they don’t. You go and knock on the door, ring on their bell, ring on the phone, do what you like to get in touch, and you know they’re there and they know you are there.

I was the youngest of seven children, born in Onehunga, went to the church over the road, went to school all around Onehunga. I never left Onehunga until I was about 24, and then I came back again 15 years later. My father passed away when I was 11, and my mother passed away 20 years ago, at 99. I always have an anchor in Onehunga. My great-grandma was the first maternity nurse in Onehunga. 

I value people, because even if you’re a stranger on the street, if something happens, somebody will step up and give you a helping hand. I’ve had that happen in shopping malls two or three times, and people are marvellous in that respect. All I can say is thank you for all the help you’ve given me over the last year, or all the years of my life. Just thank you, and I hope I’ve repaid you back for what you’ve done for me.”