OUR LITTLE secret!

WHEN IT COMES TO HER NEXT BIG BIRTHDAY, KERRE BETTER GET THE BIG BASH SHE’S DREAMING OF

I don’t know how we did it. Trying to plan a surprise birthday party is tricky enough, but when you’re bringing people together from different friendship groups and from around the country to meet in Queenstown, it’s even harder. Add on the heightened tension of the ever-present possibility of alert level changes and we were all on tenterhooks. It was worth the effort, though.

I’ve known Di since my Wellington days – for more than 30 years now – and it was a significant birthday for her. So significant that Winston Peters sent her a card – a lovely gold one that will give her free trips on the bus and discounted movie passes.

She shares her birthday with my favourite former deputy prime minister, my favourite millionaire, my favourite cricket commentator, my son-in-law and the late great Elizabeth Taylor – and whenever two or more of these are gathered, Liz Taylor excluded, you’re always in for a fabulous night. We’ve certainly had a few of them over the years.