Episode 2: Nova Gibson

Like many of us, Nova Gibson loves Massey's close proximity to beaches, green spaces and bike paths.

She believes in the power of literacy and spends her days joining people with books. As a librarian at Massey Primary School, Nova has encouraged the joy of reading in hundreds of children over the past ten years.

She also coordinates the Swap-A-Book fridges dotted around Massey. The repurposed refrigerators (that were salvaged from landfill) keep donated books safe from the elements as they find new owners.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

My name's Nova Gibson, I'm the school librarian at Massey Primary School.

I live in the next suburb over, down in Henderson, and I've been working in this library for almost ten years. And, it's just a great place to work.

I believe in literacy and reading books together, I believe, strengthens family bonds.

I love Massey, partly because of its location - it's close to the West Auckland beaches, close to the motorway, and it's got great bicycle lanes and bike path - also love the green spaces.

I must admit I was a little bit disappointed the Te Manawa moved farther away from us.

I'd love to see more affordable housing in this area, so that the community was more stable - that there wasn't the transience. I do notice that with children moving in and out of the area.

I think more Walking School Buses, free public transport for school kids, on school days, might cut some of the congestion around schools.

Since I've been here I've gotten to know a lot of great people - a lot of great kids.

And there are some great people that I've met that live in this community and love this community as well.

It's just a great place to be.