It was Dame Cath’s birthday, and the staff at New Zealand Opera, back in 2015, wanted to honour Cath and the wonderful support she had given opera, going back as far as her time as mayor of Auckland when the Aotea Centre was being built and fundraising was in ‘full swing’. The opera company (Perkel Opera at that point) was mounting full-scale operas and donating all profits to the Aotea Centre, with the wonderful sponsorship support of ANZ bank.
As it happened, international opera singer Mary O’Brien, now back in Auckland, was celebrating her birthday on the same day – the 4th of April. We therefore invited Mary and long-time friend Max Cryer to join the party. Great fun, as it always was with Cath, and we were delighted to be able to do this.
Personally, I have known Dame Cath for nigh-on 40 years and, like many throughout New Zealand, I will greatly miss her wonderful character, no-nonsense and straightforward way of dealing with matters of importance, and great sense of fun.
Farewell Cath. We will remember you.
