Still the leading lady

Joan-Mary Longcroft has long been a familiar presence in the Auckland suburb of Remuera, and those who know her would agree she certainly leaves an impression. At 98, she remains impeccably presented, quick-witted and deeply engaged with the world around her.

Born in Dunedin, Joan-Mary arrived in Remuera as a young girl and never left. “We all bicycled to school,” she recalls of her wartime childhood, remembering air-raid drills, rationing and a community shaped by the uncertainty of World War II. Her school friends stayed with her for decades. One, a classmate from St Cuthbert’s, was a friend for eighty years.

Her life since school has been anything but ordinary. In her first job Joan-Mary worked with her father in a customs and shipping law business, where she became affectionately known as “the smuggler’s daughter”.

She challenged convention at the time, once asking a senior customs official why there were no female customs officers employed, as she thought they would be very good at the role. “I came back from holiday and they’d started employing women,” she laughs. “He said, you’re right - the men have been fooling us for the last 2,000 years!”

Her love of music and theatre has been a constant thread throughout Joan-Mary’s life - as has her dedication to community service and philanthropy.

Through her long involvement with Zonta International, a global not-for-profit organisation, she championed opportunities for women through education, advocacy and leadership - a commitment she maintained for six decades. She was also active with the HOPE Foundation for Research on Ageing, helping raise awareness and funds for healthy ageing across New Zealand.

Her move to 7 Saint Vincent Village 11 years ago was an easy one as it kept her in the heart of the local community she loves. More recently she moved into the new care home - something she took in her stride with signature optimism. “The staff are excellent and coming from a family of deep thinkers, I find I’m in very good company here.”

Life in a care environment brings its realities, but Joan-Mary meets them in her own way - practically, and with humour. She still gathers friends to come for fish and chips and is not afraid to share strong views on how things should be done: “Chips must absolutely be double-fried...!”