H0326 Shani HOPGOOD

Interviewer: Rebecca Amundsen

Abstracter: April Milligan

Interview: 11 February 2018

TRACK One

00:00 Interview identification. SHANI MICHELLE HOPGOOD born 1978.

01.11 39 years old, born in INVERCARGILL, one brother 2.5 years older. Went to CLARENDEN PRIMARY SCHOOL, KEW SCHOOL, TWEEDSMUIR INTERMEDIATE and SOUTHLAND GIRL’s HIGH SCHOOL.

01.48 As a child enjoyed art activities; dance when young, gymnastics, not such a good drawer but loved working with mixed media using paint and collage. Spent time displaying things in her room. Not a sporty child but took swimming lessons at CONON STREET pool (brother admired for super balance while surfing /skateboarding). Love of music; learned the piano for 8 years and had ghetto blaster to listen to while doing arty things.

03.15 Love of animals following seeing a documentary, led to deciding to be vegetarian when 12. Joined WORLD WILDLIFE FOUNDATION and GREENPEACE at 13. Aspired to be a Marine Biologist at that time.

03.59 Parents supported interests with Dad (a Meat Inspector) being arty too, doing carving, sketches and landscape design including the gardens at home using Native plants. Mum cooked vegetarian choices for her. Allowed to explore different interests.

05.08 Mum a Nurse has a caring nature and worked part time when SHANI was at school until a back injury led to working at the Blood bank, Grey Power and Cancer Society for 19 years.

06.11 Treated the same as her brother and supported in interests by parents to try things out. Determined to leave school to follow her passion against school advice. Chose to go to a single sex High School because they had a strong Art Department with a teacher examining for School Certificate Art and strong Music Department (rather than CARGILL where her brother went).

10.16 Teacher remembered; MRS GARTLEY (4th form Accelerant class) taught on a very human level – sprung interesting ideas on the class. She encouraged pupils to be inquisitive and ask questions. Friendships and trust were tested in the 5th Form when the class was split up and she ended in a class with none of the previous class. Character building starting from scratch. Made 2 new friends.

13.27 After 3rd Form work day, continued working at TUDOR HOUSE OF FLOWERS with DONNA after school leaving by 5th Form, 15 years being offered a fulltime job. Parents agreed if SCHOOL CERT (6 subjects) results were good she could leave at the end of the year starting her profession at 16.

TRACK 2

00.04 Interest in flowers was not from home as her Dad favoured Native plants, her Mum had a few flowers but her Grandparents had a lot of fragrant roses and a large terrarium. Attempted perfume from the rose petals. Imaginary world in the garden developed. Camped in the CAITLINS every year at PAPATOWAI enjoying nature. At 12 discovered the artistry and meaning of flowers chosen for her Grandmother’s funeral. Loved going in to TUDOR to see the displays.

03.36 Brother Scott, had his friends and they looked out for her so didn’t concern her being in a single sex school.

05.01 Entered female dominant work place so role models were florists. NZ has strong influence in the floristry world through training with NZ Professional Florists, strong Demonstrators. Overseas people have come to NZ to sit our highly regarded exams. Influence from female, animal activists as well. Accepted ‘Girls can do anything’. Waitressing in WELLINGTON experienced customers who acted as if superior. Some people show they don’t value what I do. As a Business owner that attitude can be from either sex.

09.50 Started work, gained Junior exam after 2 years involving a portfolio and written exam. Learnt about colour, design, techniques, display, growing flowers. A practical exam in AUCKLAND was sat by 72 with 3 passing it. Highly commended for her portfolio. DONNA was very involved with exams and competition work, including being NZ President of the NZ Professional Florists Society.

11.36 In 2nd year of career started competing, winning SOUTHLAND/OTAGO level and then Nationals in AUCKLAND held at the ELLERSLIE FLOWER SHOW. Opened up a new world to extend beyond shop flowers.

13.27 Worked in a large shop in CHRISTCHURCH for 6 months where 12 staff did 65 orders a day. (“McDonald Flowers”) A not so enjoyable experience. Her old boss visited, sensed her unhappiness, went to WELLINGTON Conference and connected to a Florist there.

TRACK 3

00.04 Had begun process of applying for a job at WESTPAC (bank), gained acceptance. Flew to WELLINGTON to meet Florist and was happy to accept the position offered.

01.49 Only knew a cousin in Wellington in the Air Force. Slept on couch for a week until the cousin was transferred, so gained a room.

02.29 New workmate became an influential role model for 1.5 years before starting her own business. Then spent a year working as a waitress/florist in a café. Offered a job with previous workmate, gained 6 years of creativity and new experiences. LORD OF THE RING filming, provided flowers for the movie sets and trailers (LIV TYLER, CATE BLANCHETT) TV shows, Films, Movie sets, Music videos (was in a BIC RUNGA video in early 20s).

04.26 Married, changes made when a baby arrived, leading to part time work, change of residence, husband made redundant led to re-evaluating living in WELLINGTON. Packed up furniture to shift to BRISBANE and visited INVERCARGILL before leaving. Decided to buy a house in INVERCARGILL, husband found a job, SHANI worked part time with a florist who was a previous workmate. When her daughter was 2 an opportunity led to buying into the business.

07.57 Rebranded as AMBROSIA, becoming full owner 1.5 years later working on her own. 10 years later there are 4 staff. Many things to learn including delegation. Still a passion, ‘Don’t send anything out you wouldn’t be grateful to receive ‘. Handpick all flowers at the market. Planning a move to a new shop location and to grow the business working with staff. Pre thinking when 13 year old daughter moves off for study to allow trips away.

TRACK 4

00.23 Learnt to be adaptable and flexible.

01.19 Shares thoughts on raising a daughter to try anything. Would like an opportunity for her to go to university. Hard work has rewards. Be passionate about what you do. Strong fitness focus to look after your health.

05.52 Tend to think women put others needs first in families. Need to be fit in business to handle stress. Time to yourself is not selfish. Husband support good, sharing yoga. Read from NATHAN WALLACE about the teenage brain to understand her daughter’s journey as an only child. She has a good relationship with her Dad.

TRACK 5

01.35 Discusses differences in parenting styles and what a role model could be for her daughter.

01.55 Thoughts on female discrimination and feminism.