Interview and photograph by Florence Noble
Kaz Trass, senior manager of sales at Westpac, is one of the many who commute from Auckland’s outskirts to the central city each day – and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Are you from Auckland?
I was born in Fiji, grew up in Whangarei, spent some time in Christchurch and the UK and then moved to Auckland.
What do you do here?
I look after a team of managers of about 60 sales people.
What do you like about working here?
I love Britomart, I don’t think there is another location that could beat it in Auckland. It’s got great coffee, great food, great shops.
What’s your favourite place to eat around here?
Ortolana, Amano, The Store, and Miann for sweet treats or a flat white.
What’s your favourite Auckland city spot?
Well, out at Kumeu where I live – which we still call Auckland! – There’s some really cool vineyards around there with small-batch wines and really good food. The Tasting Shed is a really good place to eat and have good cocktails.
What’s your idea of fun?
Good food, good wine, good company is my idea of an ideal night.
What do not many people know about you?
I love my job. Not many people can say that! I got married in Paris. My dogs are my entire universe. I’ve got two: Gnarla and Pete and they’re brother and sister. They’re amazing. They’re sausage dogs crossed with bichon frise. They’re funny-looking things.
If you could retire tomorrow what would you do?
Live in a bach somewhere remote, and just read, watch TV, swim. Doing anything I can think of, except for work, ha ha.
What’s your favourite thing to spend money on?
Coffee, food, holidays, holidays, holidays. We’ve just come back from South East Asia, and I’d never been to that part of the world before and I was so surprised and delighted. The people in Cambodia were just amazingly kind and lovely.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I’m pretty good at nails and make-up.
What would the world be like if it were filled with male and female versions of you?
Crazy laughter. I don’t think anything would get done. I would drive myself mad, I think. Ha ha!
