Morning Person: Meet Courteney!

In September CreativeMornings/Auckland had absolutely lovely human, Courteney Peters speak about her venture, Gather & Hunt, and the colourful community that has sprung up around it. Since she is one of our favourite people in Auckland, and we think it’s time you all got to meet Courteney!

Who are you?
An Aucklander. 

What gets you up in the morning?
Most days, exercise. Other days, guilt. On Saturdays, my tummy rumbling.

Explain what you do in five words or less
Mapping the magic around us.  

What’s a surprising fact about you?
I have a degree in Aviation and a commercial pilot license. I actually got my pilot license before my drivers license. My mum used to have to drive me to the airport. 

What’s your favourite thing about Auckland? 
Its potential. Over the past 3 years I’ve been documenting the evolution of this city, and meeting the multitude of creative, gutsy people in it. It’s an exciting place to live, you never know what you might discover just around the corner.

Best breakfast you’ve ever had?
We held a Tasting Club at Welcome Eatery in August. Three courses with Supreme coffee and cold pressed juice. I don’t usually get to eat at our events but two guests didn’t make it so I pounced. It was so so delicious. That place rules. 

On a more nostalgic note I’d say a slice of hot buttered toast at my family bach on Lake Rotoiti. A good view and lots of happy memories make everything taste better.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Gosh my mum was full of them as I was growing up, she used to run into my bedroom every morning, sweep open the curtains and yell, “seize the day!” Her other favourite was “feel the fear and do it anyway.” I think the one that sticks with me the most though is the idea that the world is how you see it - you might not choose what happens to you but you can choose how you respond. 

Who would you love to hear speak? 
I would love to hear Steven Johnson who wrote the incredible book Future Perfect talk about liquid democracies. 

What’s your secret super power?
I have a weird affinity for faces and names and connections. In my head Auckland is a giant web of people and what they do and how they relate to each other. I often get introduced to someone and already know exactly who they are and what they do, and I have to pretend ignorance so as not to seem like a complete creep. 

If I were a colour, I would be…
Duck egg blue, because it’s quite gentle and calming and fits unobtrusively into most situations. I think it’s quite an idealistic colour though, a colour with with lofty dreams….

If you missed her talk, keep an eye on our pages, we’ll be sharing her video very soon. And if you need some tips on how to access Auckland’s magic you should definitely check out Gather & Hunt.