From a young age, Tom would go to Miramar Public Library to read the encyclopedias after school.
Now, in a temperature-controlled room in his home in Paraparaumu, Tom has his own library of more than 6000 books collected over 75 years.
And the books are not just in this room but on bookshelves in bedrooms, the living room, hallway and even the bathroom – anywhere there’s a wall, there’s books.
“I’m a voracious reader,” said Tom. “My particular interest is modern arms and conflicts and I’ve had that interest since I started school.”
Tom and Fiona moved to Paraparaumu in 2009. They bought their house on Tom’s 70 th birthday. After a 60-year working life, Tom retired at 77.
“I finished school on the Friday and started permanent employment on the Monday. I worked in the public service nearly all of that time and studied economics and political science part-time.”
Tom says he had some “responsible jobs” in the public service, peaking at Assistant Secretary to the Treasury.
Among many other achievements, he is proud to have been the inventor of the Quota Management System for our Inshore Fisheries in the 1980s.
Fiona and Tom met online in 2005.
“When he said he gets home and listens to Mozart and his day job was looking ahead 30 years to what kind of New Zealand do we want, I thought ‘right, he’s a good one,’” said Fiona.
Fiona was born in Glasgow and emigrated to New Zealand from Zimbabwe in 1994. She lived in Africa for 20 years. Her consultancy work has taken her around the world – the Philippines, Thailand, Fiji, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, the Middle East and more.
“After Covid the international work went but I’m still working, delivering competency training in the emergency management area – to Coastguard, Land Seach & Rescue and Police. I teach people how to train staff and volunteers to standards and measure their competence against them,” said Fiona.
Both have family from previous marriages.
Alongside their busy lives and family, Tom and Fiona have also found unexpected support through Mary Potter Hospice.
“They’ve been wonderful. Recently the physiotherapist came here. He put him through his paces, gave him some exercises and followed up. One time I was in conversation with the Mary Potter nurse and she said ‘would you like the doctor to come and see you?’ What! Normally you’re trying to get an appointment three weeks ahead. The doctor spent a whole hour totally focused on Tom and what was
happening with him,” said Fiona.
“The first Hospice person who came was the social worker and she went through the whole thing, explaining advance care planning and all the things you can do.
“The time and attention you get from everyone at Mary Potter is amazing. You never feel you’re being a nuisance,” said Fiona.
“Our view of Hospice was it’s the last three days of your life. We never knew about all the rest, and it’s all the rest that gives you quality of life,” said Fiona.
Tom said he has no pain and a good quality of life. “Looking ahead, I’ve signed up for assisted dying. It’s a last choice but I have it in my back pocket. In the meantime I proceed merrily along knowing whatever I decide, I have the Hospice beside me and supporting me.”
Tom and Fiona said they have enormous respect for all the Hospice people they’ve dealt with.
“Whatever you say you’ve got a problem with, they’ve got a solution.”
For Tom and Fiona, Hospice isn’t just about the end of life — it’s about living well, with dignity and support, every step of the way.