Marcus Lush’s new programme North was passing through Piha on Sunday 27 February and who should show up on it, but yours truly.

I got to tell two stories:

• The “body in the burning bach” about an insurance swindle in the 1930s that involved exhuming a body from Waikumete Cemetery and setting fire to a Piha bach with the body inside. My Mum and Dad were on their honeymoon in our bach and were some of the locals to try and put the flames out
• The day two Hermosa Beach lifeguards turned up at Piha and revolutionised surfing with their Malibu boards.

If you missed the programme you can watch it here http://tvnz.co.nz/north/s1-e2-video-4032565