Tui gets older and bolder

Most 80-year-olds are content celebrating their birthday with family and friends with a nice sedate morning tea, but not Mangawhai’s Tui Wilson.

As a part of Tui’s 80th birthday celebrations, her family enlisted the help of Sterl from Mangawhai Tyres and his Harley Davidson.

He and Tui got all togged up and went for the ride of a lifetime around the loop – Waipu, over the Brynderwyns, back to Kaiwaka and home again – dodging all the nasty showers and giving sightseeing a whole new perspective.

“I’ve never been a biker,’ says Tui. “It’s just something I wanted to do – but I thought he could have gone faster!”

Tui had dropped a hint saying she would like a ride on a Harley but was genuinely surprised when it turned up.

Later, friends and family from Dargaville gathered for a celebratory dinner at Smashed Pipi.

Tui retired to Mangawhai 19 years ago – so says she’s almost a local – and with three adult children (two in Mangawhai), four grand children and three great-grand children, plus her section lawns and gardens to maintain, she has plenty to keep her busy.

However she is also a long-term volunteer at the St John Op Shop since its opening, enjoying the fellowship that it brings as well as the contribution to the community.

Celebrities turning 80 this year include Willie Nelson, Michael Caine, Joan Rivers, Yoko Ono and Carol Burnett so she’s really in Town Hall company.

Tui has something special in mind to celebrate her 90th birthday too but we are sworn to secrecy on that one.

Congratulations Tui, happy birthday and may you have many more.
 
By Rob Pooley