Rhys
I’m all about planes. I’ve always been obsessed ever since, like, my dad first took me to the airport. I remember being on his shoulders in the regional terminal and just seeing all the planes.
Now my plan is to be a pilot. I’ve spent a lot of time on flight simulators and stuff. I’ve been to a two week flight school called the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School and I flew solo. That was a huge moment, my favorite memory so far.
There’s an Air New Zealand Cadetship for the ATR, which is the plane I want to fly. So when that opens, and when I’m old enough, I’ll apply. If you’re passionate about something, you can easily achieve it. You literally just put your mind to it.
My favourite thing about the central city has got to be the architecture. I really like some of the buildings, both old and new, the design is very ‘my’ style. I like how there’s lots of things to do, lots of places to go, there’s always something new going on.
The newer ‘cookie cutter’ houses are really ugly. Houses are supposed to have character, because that’s how you make it a home. You know the old Victorian bungalows? That’s what we’ve got, and it’s really good because it’s got style. It’s unique. You feel like it’s your home. I’m really grateful for it, because you can keep all the memories.
Commercial buildings that are new, that’s where you want efficiency. So that’s why big square buildings are totally normal. It makes sense, where character is more for luxurious or recreational buildings.
We spend a lot of time in the city and I’m quite passionate about the central city landscape. I’ve always had a view in my mind of the way it should be done. And so I’ve been challenged, as I’ve been growing up, with being accepting of other people’s views and not pushing my own.