He Tangata

MARGARET FOSTER
Ngāi Tahu, Te Āti Awa

Margaret Foster was a deadly attacker during her time as a Silver Fern (1992-1997) and she's coached netball teams for the last 25 years, including the Canterbury Flames (2000) and the Southern Steel (2000-2007). She established her own netball academy called Motivationz in Christchurch, which runs workshops and clinics for young aspiring netballers. She's recently recovered from breast cancer and is a devoted wife to Anthony and mother of Maddie and Xavier.

WHAT CONSTITUTES A GOOD DAY?

Breakfast in bed, kisses from the children, a walk up the hill, a spa, reading, being creative, cheese and wine in the afternoon with the husband, children home from school!

WHAT NEW ZEALANDER DO YOU MOST ADMIRE? WHY?

Jenny Shipley. She was our first female Prime Minister. She's entrepreneurial, seems down to earth and grateful. She's a very articulate speaker.

WHAT COULD YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?

My children Maddie and Xavier. They make me laugh and keep me grounded.

IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE?

The south of France – I love red wine, warm weather and French culture.

WHO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN YOUR LIFE?

Anthony, my husband.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SONG?

At the moment, Boom something or other from the Black Eyed Peas and Shine by David Grey.

ON WHAT OCCASION DO YOU TELL A LIE?

Anything that relates to eating more De Spa chocolates.

WHAT CONSTITUTES A BAD DAY?

When I have not been creative or haven't felt like I've had a real purpose.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR?

Spiders – big ones!

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE SUPERHERO?

Wonder Woman.

WHAT IS YOUR WORST CHARACTER FLAW?

Impatience.

WHICH TALENT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE?

I like to be able to play an instrument and sing in tune. Wow! Or to be able to draw!

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY?

Riding to the dairy on my bike with a saddle bag full of bottles ready to exchange them for lolly mixtures, baching in Rapahoe and catching100 cockabullies in Picton harbour.

DO YOU BUY LOTTO?

No, not really, but I did buy one when it got really big! Great fantasy … I know I would make an outstanding philanthropist!!

DO YOU BELIEVE IN REINCARNATION?

Yes, sort of.

EVEN IF YOU DON'T, WHAT WOULD YOU COME BACK AS IF YOU COULD?

A dog, or a man. Hee, hee.

WHAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?

My husband designed a special voucher for me for services. Maddie wrote me a poem once for Mothers Day.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE?

Overseas travel – I love it.

FAVOURITE WAY TO CHILL OUT?

Reading, wine and cheese with Ants and dinner parties.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST ADMIRABLE QUALITY?

Positivity or enthusiasm for life.

DANCE OR WALLFLOWER?

Dance, but not that well!

WHAT IS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ?

A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown.

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR?

I have a variety. I love different genres particularly biographies. Two of my favourite authors are Douglas Kennedy and Marion Keyes.

IF YOU HAD TO WATCH SPORT ON TELEVISION, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Netball of course, then any other sports. I love watching anything that is on and is competitive.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?

Giving birth to two amazing children – Maddie, 13, and Xavier, 5. Helping them to be the best they can be.

Setting up my own business – Motivationz. I find it immensely rewarding helping others and I love my netball academy.

WHAT FOOD COULD YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?

Chocolate, cognac pâté, calamari, cheese.

WHAT MEAL DO YOU COOK THE MOST?

Um that's a hard one, Ants does the cooking! Maybe scrambled eggs ...

HOW MANY PAIRS OF SHOES DO YOU OWN?

I love shoes – unsure, lost count, over 40 perhaps?

IF YOU HAD TO REGRET SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

That I didn't play for longer when I was in the Silver Ferns. I finished in 1997 and I think I could have played for a few more years internationally.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN NEW ZEALAND?

Kaiteriteri during the Christmas Holidays is stunning or Queenstown during the winter with a glass of vino at Eichardt's.