Murray Andrews lives in Ponsonby and is a self-employed electrician; his company is called Electrical Maintenance.
His work is based around residential and commercial properties.
How long have you been an electrician?
Over 30 years, so I have a lot of experience and have seen a lot of changes. I also really enjoy what I do.
What other career would you have taken?
Maybe farming in the South Island, I have always enjoyed being an electrician, so have never really had to think about that.
What do you like about Ponsonby?
My favorite café is 121 / Sol's place I have known the previous owner Chris and the new owner Ron, they are great guys and the coffee is awesome.
How have you survived the pandemic?
Keeping in touch with family and friends, creating a bubble, resilience taught to me by my parents and I was also an essential service.
What was your childhood like?
I grew up at Mt Maunganui it was one giant adventure playground.
What is your favorite TV series?
Master Chef Australia – a top quality program, the new ideas they have for content is amazing.
What is on your bucket list?
A wine harvest in France, my son is a winemaker in the south of France. Flyfishing in Alaska and some train journeys in different parts of the world.
How do you see yourself in ten years?
Working on only the days I choose, overseas travel.
How would you like to be remembered?
As a person who enjoyed life and who had good friends and family.
What do you love most about your age?
Like a good bottle of red wine, if kept correctly it just gets better with age.
What is something you disapprove of?
Lack of respect.
If you won a million dollars, what would you do?
I suppose I should tell my wife.
What really motivates you?
To be able to enjoy life, and do new things.
Your favorite all time movie?
Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – I liked the quote, "Don’t worry everything will be ok in the end, if it’s not ok now, it’s not the end".
Give your teenaged self some advice?
Enjoy life and follow your dreams.
Which item of clothing can't you live without?
My Calvin Klein jeans.
What would your dream home be?
A free flowing house by a river, lake or the sea and with room for friends to stay.
You most treasured possession?
Memories and keep creating them.
Your dream guest list for a party?
George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Sir Elton John, they are all superstars.
Tell me about saving someone from drowning?
When I saved the person from drowning, I still can remember this event clearly, I was 18 at the time.
A friend and myself were body surfing at Omanu beach Mt. Maunganui. My mate had just caught a wave in, I was waiting for the next wave and noticed a man who was about 70 years old, about 40 metres to my left, he had one hand raised above his head.
I swam over to check if he was ok, he was calm and not panicking. He was trying to tread water, but had become very weak.
What had happened was, that he was taken out by a rip. So I put him in the rescue position and we swam to the side of the rip, then I took him in shore to the beach.
The surf lifesavers arrived at that time and took him back to the clubhouse. We were swimming just outside the patrolled area.
As I had grown up at the Mount, I was a very competent swimmer, having been involved with swimming club and surf lifesaving had taught me some important water safety skills. (David Hartnell, MNZM)