The Good Life on Te Muna Road
Few other Martinborough residents’ name would be as well recognised New Zealand wide as Deborah Coddington. In her career Deborah as included journalism in North & South and Eve magazines, for the BBC, Sunday Star Times, NZ Herald and Radio Live. Deborah has also been a television political commentator and a member of parliament – among other things.
However when Deborah first started to think about writing her story she came to the realisation that community, family and sense of place has been at its heart.
From a happy childhood in Hawkes Bay Deborah proceeded to a hippy life with four young children in Wairarapa. These were the colourful seventies with friends including, Tim Shadbolt, Peter Bush, Sam Hunt and Dun Mihaka. From Wairarapa Deborah moved up to Russell where she looked after a family by day and ran a restaurant at night.
Then came the media years which led into politics including a stint in parliament. And now, decades later, Deborah is back in the Wairarapa where her adventures all started. These days she and her husband Colin Carruthers QC are Martinborough residents managing the successful vineyard Te Muna Wines.
Her book ‘The Good Life on Te Muna Road’ fully recalls what has been by any measure an adventurous life; not always idyllic memories, the tough stuff as well as the amusing and personal revelations.
However, it’s end message is what she describes as “a hymn to community. To be precise to a small rural village called Martinborough and the transformative, healing, enriching effect of life in the country”.
The book also makes a compelling case against the proposed merger with Wellington. “What is under threat is the loss of community. Why take the ‘local’ out of local politics? I don’t care about things being more efficient. What I care about is being able to see the local mayor, knowing the name of the local constable, the vicar the butcher.”
Deborah’s book will be launched on Tuesday 30th June at the Circus Cinema between 5.30 and 7.30 pm. Deborah will discuss the book with businesswoman Catherine de Groot. A glass of wine and nibbles will be provided. Tickets to the launch will cost $20 with the proceeds going to the Waihinga Centre Fund.
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