Family matters

Two weeks ago my father was diagnosed with colon cancer. Since then he’s undergone a series of tests to determine the extent of his illness. At this early stage only one thing is certain, Dad will require surgery. We’ll know more following his first consultation with the surgeon this coming Tuesday. Given this unexpected turn of events I brought forward a scheduled business trip to Australia by several days.

The last minute change let me carry on to New Zealand and spend three days with my parents before returning to Sydney. Qantas also came to the party. I successfully upgraded my flight using frequent flyer points all the way to Auckland. I then caught a commuter flight to Tauranga, arriving mid-afternoon on Sunday.

This final flight was quite an adventure. Our plane was little more than a small tin can fitted with a single row of rather flimsy looking seats on either side of the fuselage. The airframe was clearly visible along the walls and my hand luggage had to be stored under a vacant seat at the front of the plane. The pilot greeted us at the door before sitting down in the open cockpit for take-off.


Mum and Dad recently relocated to Mount Maunganui to continue their retirement plans. A cozy two-bedroom house they’ve owned for almost a decade is their new permanent home. The beach itself is a brief, five-minute walk away, making for a sunny, relaxing lifestyle. I can recall many wonderful moments as a child wandering along this stretch of white, curving sand.

The area’s most dominant feature is an extinct volcanic dome, rising 232 metres above the beach. The Mount, as it’s affectionately known, sits in splendid isolation at the far end of a long, broad sand spit. It comes as no surprise to learn that the local Maori tribe once lived in a fortified Pa on its summit. They called the peak Mauao. This trip, while in town, Mum and Dad took time out to join me for a casual walk around the base of Mount Maunganui.


Some of my earliest childhood memories involve walking the same track watching foaming ocean waves wash along the ancient lava coastline. Much of the route is shaded by tall, craggy Pohutukawa trees. These native character-filled trees are often called the New Zealand Christmas tree as they burst into bright, red flower during the Yuletide season. I was always fascinated by the 3-metre tall bronze statue of Tangaroa, Maori god of the sea, that guards the harbour entrance.

It was wonderful to be outdoors, enjoying the sea air and the company of family. Sadly, while I was in town Dad was stuck by another bout of illness. These reoccurring episodes of poor health have plagued him for more than a year. Their persistence eventually prompted him to schedule the tests that revealed his cancer. We have some challenging months ahead.