I grew up in the New Zealand countryside. We didn't have television until I was 14, so sing-alongs were our only entertainment.

I felt that the studio recording process makes you stand still too long.

I never had the influence of any other singer in my music, so I sounded like myself all the time.

When I perform Strauss, it is as if the music fits me like a glove. My voice seems to lie in a happy area in this music, which is lyrical and passionate at the same time.

I'm completely in charge of my own life now. Sometimes there's no one there to slap me on the hand and say: 'Stop being so bullish and bossy,' and things like that.

I really believe I've been a good person. Not perfect - forget about perfect - but just learning by what I was taught and living by my own values. I might have stepped on a few ants - and a few other things as well - but I've never hurt anybody.

My children are my children. There's no doubt about that at all. They're very strong towards me, very protective, and I towards them. It works both ways.