KERRY-LEE DEWING PLAYS KYLIE BROWN ON SHORTLAND STREET, TV2, 7PM WEEKDAYS
What do you drive?
I drive a 2007 Mazda Axela automatic. I got it about two years ago. It’s gunmetal grey and, to be honest, I liked the price range the most.
Who else is allowed to drive your car?
I am not too precious about my car. Assuming they can drive and have a licence, of course, any friends are welcome.
First car you owned?
Funnily enough it was actually a Mazda, too, a little Familia.
Your dream car ?
An Audi RS wagon ... I like that it’s practical and super-sexy but not too showy. You can put toys on the roof. It’s big enough for everyone, yet it’s super luxurious and quick.
Favourite car colour?
White.
Who taught you to drive?
My Mum and ex-boyfriend mostly. They were both pretty trusting in my ability, so I didn’t feel too on edge and just got comfortable on the road from an early age. I probably started around 13.
How often do you clean your car?
Mmm ... to be honest, the outside doesn’t get cleaned as often as it should, I figure the rain can do that. The inside isn’t dirty ... I have a bin.
What do you always have in your car?
Gym gear, so I can go straight from work or wherever I happen to be after I’ve eaten a block of chocolate and my conscience kicks in. A nail file is also essential, and water bottles. I drink a lot of water. And toothpicks and gum because I don’t do bad breath. And an umbrella and jacket because we live in New Zealand.
Manual or automatic?
Manuals are fun as you have more control over the car. But, sadly, I drive a boring auto.
What do you listen to when you’re driving?
Depends on my mood, but a Spotify playlist of some sort.
Most memorable road trip?
When I was about 13 I did a bus trip around the South Island with a Brazilian friend. Not only was I in complete awe of this breathtaking country I had just landed in, but I simply loved staring out the window in deep thought watching the countryside go by.
Favourite TV/movie car scene?
Locke. The whole movie is shot in a car.
What’s a great day trip out of Auckland?
Up north to one of our beautiful east coast beaches.
Getting around Auckland, do you prefer to take public transport or drive?
I drive. I don’t always know what or where I’ll be going so the independence and convenience is ideal. Also, if I had to carry a bag big enough to fit everything my car houses, I’d be broken.
If you could ease Auckland’s traffic congestion ...
Perhaps learn from this, and take into consideration the inevitable population growth and expansion, and create infrastructure to accommodate accordingly for the long-term, not simply what will do at present. Failing that, provide everyone with jetpacks.
Do you judge people by what they drive?
Not in terms of status, anyway, but I guess the condition of one’s car, regardless of what it is, reveals a bit about a person.
What irritates you most about other drivers?
When you come up to a roundabout and you can clearly see there is no one else but you and the car in front of you going straight through and they come to a complete stop, like they are waiting for something to appear so they can stop, instead of making that judgment metres before and keeping the flow of traffic going.
If you could change one road rule, what would it be?
The speed limit. I’d like to see them increase the limit for drivers on open roads.
— As told to Donna McIntyre