Bruce McKinnon – Life in Kerikeri

Q. Tell us about your decision to move to Kerikeri, what inspired you to leave Wellington.
A. We like the weather up here and the idea of living in the country. The golf course is excellent and the fishing. Kerikeri also has plenty of cultural events centered on the Turner Centre.  

Q. You were in the orchestra from 1989 to the end of 2020, what was it like to leave that behind? 
A. I absolutely miss the music. Sitting in the middle of a symphony orchestra every working day was a special privilege. I don’t miss meetings. 

Q. What are your highlights of your years in the NZSO?
A. Strangely, I mostly think of times in the pit as highlights, Rosenkavalier, Peter Grimes, Die Walkure. Also any concert with Alexander Lazarev conducting. Shostakovich 7 & 11 with Vasily Petrenko. The concert at the Maestranza in Seville with Decker and Kiri. There were so many.  

Q. What have you been up to in Kerikeri?  
A. I play golf twice a week at the excellent golf club. And rehearse with a jazz trio, we do the occasional gig. I have been playing for the local choir who hire an orchestra for some of their gigs. We did Carmina Burana a couple of years ago. I spend some time in the garden, everything grows here. We have hundreds of avocados from our two mature trees.  

Q. Any future plans?
A. We’ve bought an apartment in Auckland. All the children and grandchildren have ended up there so probably time to move. We are just waiting to sell up here and then we’ll move. It will be sad to leave up here though.