What is the best thing that I love about my work? 

Having built my business from the ground up, it’s allowed me to attract likeminded fun people to work for that I care deeply about. It makes showing up to work very easy and joyful. 

What is my idea of happiness? 

Curious, healthy family and friends who together can get a buzz from simple, effortless things. 

Picture credit: Jack Barry

What is my greatest fear? 

My children leaving the earth before me. Oh, and gory horror films, when I was a police officer I was never phased when dealing with people on the end of a noose, or missing limbs, or 2 week old bodies, the real stuff I can deal with, but give me Jason Vorhees in a hockey mask and I’m hiding behind a pillow. 
 
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? 

Being impatient.  
 
Which living persons in my profession do i most admire? 

I enjoy Jesse Itzler and his views on living life to the max.  

What is my greatest extravagance? 

My 1966 VW Beetle. Which I use every day in my hunt for the perfect punnet of hot chips. 

On what occasion would I lie? 

Telling a staff member that I enjoyed my meal or coffee even if it was a bit yuck. I won’t lie about hot chips though, you give me bad chips, or bad sauce, or a chip lacking in salt, I’m telling you, that I can’t forgive. 
 
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? 

Bureaucracy. And people with stink yarns, gosh, I think I could nearly forgive the bureaucracy if the people behind it all could pique my interest with a laugh and good chatter, but that’s seldom the case; stiff, boring, self-exalting bureaucracy gives me the shivers. 

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? 

Right now. Having built my business over the years, sticking it out through challenging times, it’s allowed me freedom personally and financially for new opportunities. I can continue to run my business and enjoy study in other areas that interest me. 
 
If I could, what would I change about myself? 

I am working on de-constructing myself to care less about needing approval from others. So long as I am not seriously and/or negatively impacting people. I want to remain curious and see things from a variety of optics, but to be mentally free from cruel critics.  

What is my greatest achievement in work? 

Building a career and business that has allowed me to pick up and drop off my children to school every day, be present at important events for them, and have a sit-down dinner at the table each night. 
 
Where would I most like to live? 

Europe with a base and the ability to bounce all over the world.  
 
What is my most treasured possession? 

My children.  
 
What is my most marked characteristic? 

The ability to approach others and strike up a conversation. People love a compliment, and it really is the easiest thing in the world to throw a smile at someone and tell them how awesome their parallel carpark attempt was. We can be so caught up in our own day and our tiny little safety bubbles as we stare at our feet and shy away from embracing what’s going on around us and the people who populate the communities we are in. 
 
What is my most inspirational location, in my city? 

The trip to drop off the kids at school each day, seeing the Hauraki Gulf. I like wondering what sea life is swimming around without us realising, Orcas, Sharks… there used to be a huge Sealion living in that bay, so anything is possible. I love making stories and voices for all the animal life that I come across, my children crack up when they catch me playing out the conversations that go on between a duck with a its mate. 
 
What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? 

I have three at the moment, but don’t want to offend my locals – current top spot is Anastasis in West Auckland, their creamed corn toasties are delightful, I could happily live off a good toastie forever.  
 
What books influenced my life and how? 

Uta Hagen – A Challenge For The Actor. Firstly, this book took a long time for me to read as Uta consistently used words I had never seen before, so I learnt new vocabulary. And secondly, her ability to confront the reader to deeply consider our own human behaviours, the good, the bad, and the ugly.  
 
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? 

Rage Against The Machine. 
 
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? 

I admired Michele Dockery’s character ‘Alice Fletcher’ in Godless. Her independence and can-do attitude on her ranch and in battle.  
 
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? 

I don’t have specific people, but I enjoy when everyday people just shoot their shot, are self-aware and are driven to live a happy life that doesn’t deliberately hurt others.  
 
Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? 

Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-ho. 
 
What role play stories in my life and work? 

When I started my insurance business, sharing written stories of my experience as a police officer and the realities of what happens in our communities helped grow my brand significantly. I have pulled back on storytelling while I transition to the next phase in my life with acting. When I feel I have something insightful or funny to say I might come up for air.  
 
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me? 

Overtime, I have come to believe that humans do create our own versions of heaven or hell while living on earth. Through decisions we make from our upbringing and environment. We do have the ability to change our trajectory via confronting ourselves honestly, educating ourselves and being motivated.   
 
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? 

My soon to be Husband James. I waited 38 years for him to enter my life, the wait was worth it. Nah, he’s stink too, I’d swap him for a date with Michele Dockery. 

Which people or companies would I like to work with?

Eon Productions, Guy Ritchie, Barbara Broccoli, Cillian Murphy, Damien Lewis, Meryl Streep, Michelle Dockery, Patagonia, Taika Waititi, Kate Winslet, Quentin Tarantino.  
 
What project am I looking forward to work on? 

I am studying acting at Bow Street Academy in Dublin in January 2025, I am moving my family over from New Zealand late December for an adventure and to start the next phase of life. I imagine I will be living between Europe, UK and New Zealand for the foreseeable future.  

Where can you see me or my work? 

In terms of insurance www.vahry.co.nz and with my acting career via social media sites https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15017157/ and https://www.instagram.com/juliavahry/ 
 
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? 

When you find the thing that you love, you nurture it, pursue it, are driven to reflect and improve, you find yourself always coming back to it even after a long or short break. 

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?

Kimberly Crossman, Anna Mowbray, Rochelle Moffitt. 

How can you contact me? 

julia@vahry.co.nz