Celebrating a legend KATE’S QUEEN OF THE HARCOURT DYNASTY
It’s the day before Dame Kate Harcourt’s surprise 95th birthday party and it’s clear she has no idea what is coming, but is nevertheless happy to welcome the Weekly into her home to celebrate the milestone occasion.
As she makes her way up the internal staircase of the busy house she shares with her daughter Miranda Harcourt’s family, she reaches the top with a beaming smile.
“I’d love a cup of tea, Miranda,” she says before settling into a comfortable sofa in the sunroom.
She has on a cosy jumper and a beautiful greenstone manaia. Kate says she wanted to buy the pendant, but then found out in Ma¯ori tradition you can’t buy it for yourself, so her friend Pinky Agnew bought it for her.
“I remember when she gave it to me, I burst into tears,” says Kate. “She’s a funeral celebrant as well as a comedian and she’s going to do my funeral. I’ve got it all sorted!” she laughs.
