Photos: Babiche Martens
For Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, politics runs in the blood. Her great-great-uncle, Sir Henry Brett, was Mayor of Auckland in the 1870s. Her grandfather, Sir James Donald, was a government minister and Chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board in 1940.But one of her regrets is that her father, Stanley Lawson, was not alive to see her enter politics in 2007.
Since then, the high-energy “Glam-ma” of four has built a reputation for getting things done. During the Auckland floods last year, Desley was one of the councillors most prominent in listening and communicating with people on social media. Having just flown in from Spain and “living on adrenaline”, she was lucky to get three hours’ sleep a night.
Today, sitting in a candy-pink suit in her 26th floor council office, Desley tells why music is her lifeline and where she donates her bright, designer clothing.
We’re sorry to hear that your mum, Leonie Lawson MNZM, passed away recently. How inspiring was she to you?
So much so! Mum was incredibly talented. She founded the Auckland Girls’ Choir and was the Director of Music at Auckland Diocesan School for Girls for 33 years. Mum was taught by nuns to play piano. She had to have a penny resting on the top of her hand and if it fell off, because her technique wasn’t right, she got hit by a ruler. She swore she would never teach music that way.
How would you describe your family background?
It’s always been one of service. Mum grew up in an environment where her father would take people in who couldn’t afford to live in Auckland while they studied. He ran a company in the Pacific Islands and looked to give people opportunities because they had a talent or wanted to work hard.
As a child, I watched my mum, who if she knew of a woman going through a tough time and they couldn’t afford things, would go off to Smith & Caughey’s and buy them a dress, a hat or a pair of gloves – but completely anonymously. She used to say if you talked about the fact that you gave to others, you weren’t doing it for the right reason.
Did she give you any advice on growing older?
My mum died peacefully at home, aged almost 94, because she felt she was never “old enough” to go to a retirement village.
She always said if you keep yourself busy, mentally active and connect with others, that’s what will keep you young. Isolation and loneliness is something very worrying for our older population, and Auckland has one of the highest amounts of over-65s in New Zealand. I have regular meetings with [advocacy organisation] Grey Power about what we can do as a city to ensure they have opportunities to feel connected, like going to a library, going to a community meeting and having somewhere they can talk and have a cuppa.
What made you enter politics later in life?
My father, Stan, would always say to me, “What about you?” But the thing that turned me off was I had young children. I saw how cruel politics was on people’s families. And I was very protective of my kids. And then my first marriage ended and my father passed away at the end of 2006. The last thing he said to me was, “Are you sure you don’t want to get involved in politics?”
Over that Christmas period, I got the guilts. What he said played on my mind. Members of my community had been urging me to stand for years. When I was asked a third time, I said, “Okay, I will.”
It was for the Hobson Community Board – I topped the polls and the rest is history. John Banks was then the mayor and he took me under this wing and taught me a lot, even though I was a lowly community board chair. The best advice Dad gave me was, “You have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Listen more than you speak.”
What’s something you’re looking forward to?
I’m incredibly excited about the upcoming event on September 29 in Auckland, where we will attempt to break the world record for the most people performing the haka.
France currently holds this Guinness Record, set in 2014, but it’s time to bring it back to New Zealand, where the haka truly belongs. It’s about restoring the mana of this powerful tradition to its homeland.
I’m looking forward to seeing people from all walks of life – different cultures, ages and genders – coming together to participate in this potentially record-breaking event. It’s a unique opportunity to unite as a community and celebrate our shared heritage.
Additionally, the event will support a great cause, raising funds for the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, which provides vital music therapy for children undergoing long-term hospitalisations. Sponsored by Auckland Council through Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, this event promises to be both meaningful and memorable.
You’re an accomplished musician who plays pipe organ, piano and flute. That must help with the high stress of your role…
Yes, it’s what keeps me sane. I have a flute beside my bed, as you do! I also have a grand piano at home and my husband [former National Party president Peter Goodfellow] always says that he knows what mood I’m in by what I’m playing. If it’s Rachmaninoff, Peter might go for a walk and come back later. If it’s jazz, he knows I’m in a good mood.
You’ve been quoted as saying you feel constantly judged for how you look.
Judging a book by its cover has been my life story, although I do think I’ve earned my stripes in some respects, like fronting up with the floods. It goes to show it’s not what’s on the outside that counts – it’s what’s on the inside!
But you also make no apologies for enjoying designer fashion…
Absolutely! I’ve always been like that. Maybe it comes from years of having to wear a school uniform and not having any individuality. My mother was always well-dressed and she had a thing about good shoes – and clean shoes. And if you look at my son and daughter, they both dress well too. It’s about saying, “I’m putting my best foot forward.” I love wearing bright colours… it gives me a mood lift.
Would you go op-shopping?
Yes, I was at the opening of the Dove Hospice shop in Glen Innes a couple of weeks ago. If I like something, I will buy it, whether it’s super-expensive or super-cheap.
And I’ll be honest, I get other people to drop my clothing donations off. A lot of people ask me where I do that and it’s to one of the local Hospice shops.
We also have a refugee centre in my ward and they’re desperate for things, so I’m a bit like my mother and will anonymously donate there too.
The late Efeso Collins (Green MP and former Manukau Ward councillor) spoke warmly of his friendship with you. What did you learn from him?
I think we both learned a lot from each other. He represented one of the lowest socio-economic areas and I represented one of the highest. Yet when we’d have to make a decision at a regional level, we would talk first about the benefits to both of our constituencies and would then be more confident of the benefit to all of Auckland.
I’ve spent a lot of time in South Auckland as Māngere got very badly hit in the floods. And I’ve thought a lot about Fes – that’s what I called him. We were really close. We sat next to each other at council meetings. His office was right next to where mine is now. We would talk about our families, as his littlest daughter is the same age as my second youngest grandchild.
Fes was the gentlest, most wonderful person and at the peak of his career.
Share your favourite thing to do with your four grandchildren?
Oh, I just like to spend time talking with them. I want to know what they love doing. I say, “Tell me what makes you happy? Tell me what makes you sad?” When I am visiting my daughter in Wellington, my two youngest grandchildren come screaming into my bed in the morning. It’s a delight.
And what do they call you?
They call me Glam-ma. They made me a big sign at the last election, which said “Vote for Glam-ma!”
Cuppa of choice?
Well, my husband always makes me a cup of tea in the morning, regardless of what time I get up – and sometimes it’s very early for a dawn blessing. Twelve out of 10 to hubby! We’re one of those rare, happily married couples. You can’t do the role I do without a supportive spouse. I work seven days a week, so I drink coffee in the afternoon as a pick-me-up.
Is being Mayor of Auckland something that’s in your sights?
Who knows? The election is a long way away. I’m not making that call at the moment. But people ask me that question a lot.
Finally, what’s your top priority in life?
Auckland and family. No matter how busy I am, I make time for family. I love visiting my daughter and grandkids in Wellington – they bring me so much joy.
In Auckland, we often have family Sunday night dinners together with no technology allowed – just talking. During the week, my husband does most of the cooking and my son’s a very good chef too. So in my family, the kitchen is ruled by the men – ain’t that the most wonderful thing?!
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