SOLD: Beautiful Happyzine

1. Can you introduce yourself to our readers, just as if you were introducing yourself to a room full of like-minded people at a very welcoming meeting?

Kia ora – my name is Vanisa Dhiru and I work for Volunteering New Zealand as their Chief Executive. I’m also involved as a volunteer in a number of organisations in the women’s sector and youth sector and I love clothes, shoes, chocolate and cheese.

2. What are seven words your closest friends would use to honestly describe you?

Outgoing, achiever, social, diligent, volunteer (obviously), my closest friends would use the word ‘cheese’ (laughs) and motivated.

3. What’s your core mission in life – as in what do you always find yourself doing, regardless of the context or project?

Making sure that people think of situations from the bigger picture – thinking about what will happen in the future as a consequence of the decision made today. Also getting people to think “if I make this decision how is it going to affect other people” – forward thinking with the view of being compassionate.

4. What kind of food do you like to eat right now and why?

I really love cheese (laughs), my favourite at the moment is Kapiti Awa Blue and a close runner up to that is Kapiti Cumin Gouda. My favourite kind of wine that could go with them is Omaka Springs Pinot Gris, Vintage 2011 (very specific).

5. What’s one dream you’d just love to pull off, for New Zealand?

Making sure there is a free and easy place to go to get consultancy advice for not-for-profits in New Zealand. This might be an online space, and would also showcase and demonstrate the good work that we do in the community sector – alongside news and events, trainings and workshops that people would be interested in.

6. What’s one pass time you seriously have to indulge in occasionally because it fills you up and recharges you?

A really early night sleep so I’m in bed and seriously shutting my eyes at 8 o’clock – I try to do that about once a week. For the rest of the week, whatever happens, happens.

7. Who are you closest to in your family and why?

Probably my brother who lives in London. He’s older than me, smarter than me, has more money than me, he’s got his head screwed on and is doing really well. He has always been there for me through the hard times and the good times – we’re really close. We used to flat together in Wellington and we grew up with a strong sibling relationship. We probably keep in contact more now with him overseas through texting, calling or skyping every day.

8. Who should be NZ’s Prime Minister and why?

I don’t know if I can think of a particular person, but the attributes I’d like to see in the person leading our country would be someone that is smart, a good listener, someone who understands trade negotiation, understands civic society, understands the difficulties of working within and around government, and has an outlook and focus around Asia. I think Asia is really critical at the moment for New Zealand’s growth potential. It also wouldn’t harm if the new Prime Minister did a little volunteer work too (laughs).

9. What are three things you do to stay or become healthy and happy?

I attempt to go to the gym four times a week and I try to make sure five of my dinner meals during the week are full of vegetables. To keep me happy, I have to have really good shoes and I have a personal budget which I can go spend on whatever I want and I don’t feel guilty about it. Definitely keen to treat myself but I keep it within a budget!

10. What core quality do you think New Zealand is recognised and valued for on the world-stage?

Our generalist abilities. Our ability to think outside the square. Definitely the old-school number 8 wire is something New Zealand is known for, but I think this goes beyond farming, duct tape and science projects. We are able to critically think of things in an overview perspective or more strategically. This is a great asset due to a lot of us are having to do more all rounded generalist roles in our careers and that is something that’s looked upon favorably across the seas.

Tags: volunteer