Suzie’s parents first settled here when they were balloted for one of five houses built in Paekākāriki for returned servicemen after the Second World War.
Suzie left New Zealand just after her parents moved into it and married in Australia. Her husband Ted was a marine engineer at sea, then sent to Africa for 2 years with the Air Service. Suzie was a teacher in England, Switzerland and Wellington and has visited 25 countries.
They returned to New Zealand with their two surviving children in 1981 to live in the house her parents were balloted in Paekākāriki. Ted died in 2004. Suzie did some study towards becoming a vicar and was a liturgical assistant at St Peters Church for 22 years. She continues her interest in the church and community, and has been an occasional participant in the Te Pae radio team.