DAVID PEEZ UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL David Peez is the owner of Republic Home. Originally hailing from Central Hawkes Bay, David studied business at Massey University, worked for the Public Trust in between overseas travels, then left New Zealand for what seemed like for good in 1995, to continue travelling the world. After completing an MBA at Warwick Business School in the UK, he pursued a professional career spanning roles as a strategy consultant, change manager, and corporate financier in the UK, Bahrain and Kuwait over a 16 year period. When the global financial crisis hit the Gulf, the investment banking business in Bahrain David was involved with closed its doors. It was time for him to return to New Zealand. This was the occasion to do something completely different and pursue a passion for home interiors, while continuing to travel the world sourcing those special somethings. And though he’d never lived in Auckland before, he had already identified that - if there was any one place to live and work in New Zealand – the Ponsonby area was THE place to be. IF YOU WEREN’T MANAGING A RETAIL BUSINESS, YOU’D BE..? Advising the Greens, or any other political party that would listen, on economic policy, and juggling a portfolio of investments/businesses. WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TALENT? Pick one – business, financial and economic strategy/analysis; travel photography; singing bass in various choirs, magazine proof reading, blogging (but not recently as now there is no time!) WHAT WERE YOU GOING TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? A secret agent. HOW DO YOU KEEP FIT? Well, I used to go to the gym... and I need to find time to get back into it... I love sport, but haven’t played anything competitively since my years in the deserts of Kuwait in 2003-06 where I played cricket for the Kuwait Nomads. WHAT’S YOUR PERFECT SUNDAY? I work most Sundays now, but it would be nice once in a while to relax with good food, coffee and a good book. WHO’S YOUR ULTIMATE ROCK ICON? I’m not really into icons, but I guess Peter Garrett of Midnight Oil was pretty cool, as he had a political message to convey through the band’s music. WHAT WEBSITES DO YOU BOOKMARK? Bookmarking is a bit old hat for me. I have feeds for flipboard on iPad focused on home design/interiors to keep abreast of trends, along with finance and economics blogs. THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE AND YOUR FAMILY IS SAFE - WHAT DO YOU SAVE? My wallet and passport... because I can’t face having to waste time in dealing with bureaucracy to get new credit cards and identity documents! YOUR BEST FRIEND WOULD SAY OF YOU... “David who?” YOUR MOTHER WOULD SAY OF YOU... “David, when will you grow up?”
VIRTUES? Humility...so I couldn’t possibly comment. VICES? Well, I don’t really consider my coffee addiction a vice, but maybe more than one glass of red wine with dinner is a vice... so it’s good to travel occasionally to Bali where it’s prohibitively expensive to drink good wine, or Iran where it’s even more difficult! YOUR DESERT ISLAND DISTRACTIONS? Something from the Killers, my favourite band at the moment. The movie ‘LA Confidential,’ and Blackadder. As for books, I generally read non-fiction, where I can learn something new. Currently reading Uncommon Grounds: The history of coffee and how it transformed our world. FAVOURITE PONSONBY CAFE? Salta. It’s always comforting when they confirm your regular coffee order before you mention what you’d like. FAVOURITE PONSONBY RESTAURANT? Would have to be Prego out of all the restaurants I’ve tried so far. ONE THING YOU HAVE LEARNED ABOUT LIFE IS..? It is full of uncertainty... and there are always new challenges to confront. YOUR ADVICE TO PONSONBY WANNA-BE INTERIOR DESIGNERS? When it comes to interiors, New Zealanders in general are actually a lot more conservative than I had thought after having lived abroad for so long, and mixing with other expats. So much beige or grey, black and white. Whilst that isn’t all bad, and can provide a great foundational base on which to then express individuality through statement pieces of furniture or homewares, don’t be afraid to explore colours and different textures and patterns... and to mix them up! ADVICE TO PONSONBY HOME FURNITURE BUYERS? Take others’ advice about what to buy, and what style or design you should go for, but at the end of the day, buy what you like...what makes you feel ‘at home’ in your home. When it comes to furniture, good design never goes out of fashion, which is why there is a return nowadays to acquiring antique or vintage pieces of furniture, or retro styles based on great Scandinavian design from the last century. PN
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Jo Barrett on 021 324 510 or T: 09 361 3356 or 09 378 8553 E: joannebarrett@xtra.co.nz W: www.ponsonbynews.co.nz
94 PONSONBY NEWS+ August 2012
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