HIGH FLIER
Leilani’s design triumph
Leilani’s Design Junkies triumph
LEILANI TUNNAGE (32), OF WELLINGTON, IS A HELICOPTER PILOT AS WELL AS A DESIGNER AND MAKER OF TIMBER PRODUCTS AND FURNITURE
Igrew up in outback Australia and went to an air show in Darwin when I was eight, which was my first exposure to jet planes. I saw them flying over and decided I wanted to be a fighter pilot.
It would have been the early to mid-’90s and women were less likely to be pilots then. I talked to a few people there who told me they had their first female fighter pilot, which really captured my imagination and helped me believe I could do it too!
I went to boarding school from age 14 to 18 in Christchurch and this was where I was exposed to the country’s huge helicopter industry. My plans changed a bit and I decided I wanted to be a helicopter pilot.
The concept of sinking in a pool of student debt, however, led me to the Royal New Zealand Air Force, where I joined No. 5 squadron and worked on the Orion – that’s New Zealand’s search and rescue maritime aircraft.
With that, I did an immense amount of travel all over the world, especially the Pacific. I was an air ordnanceman, looking after all the weapons systems on the Orion. I was the first female in the country to do it!
The air force was where I met my husband Justin and, after moving around the country for different helicopter roles, we moved to Palmerston North so he could study further. But I didn’t have enough flying hours to get a full-time helicopter job, so Justin suggested I design and make furniture.
I realised within two weeks I had a talent for it, and I really enjoyed it! I’d never made any furniture before but my father is an engineer and has built boats and my mum is an artist, so I had practical exposure during my childhood. I was also good at woodwork in school.
I enrolled in a two-year course, where I specialised in furniture making and design. One of the first things I made was a bookshelf, which is now in my daughter’s nursery.
We ended up using a bit of our nest egg to rent a commercial unit when we were living in Auckland and my business Design Pilot was born. I came up with the name in the middle of the night while I was still studying and thought it encompassed who I am.
I was approached by the producers of Design Junkies to feature in the show but had massive reservations as I’m not a showy person. But I knew it was a good opportunity. There were definitely stressful times on the show and I felt I was really punching above my weight as many participants had masters degrees and one even talked about designing Dreamliners! Here I was with my diploma!
During the final challenge, I was in my third trimester of my pregnancy too, which was very difficult because I definitely felt like my brain didn’t work like it used to. But with the support of my family, I got through the last part. I finished my masterpiece, which was a coffee table and a paua chandelier, and I won a trip to Milan next year!
My understanding of physics and balance from being a pilot probably helped me with my design career. I also believe my creativity comes from my faith in God.
Once my daughter is older, I want to get back into flying helicopters. If you can’t tell by how I’ve lived my life so far, I like to live dangerously. I think a lot of people are afraid of failing. I know we say you shouldn’t be afraid to fail, but a lot of people don’t take risks.
I’ve got the attitude where when I get to something I want to do, I close my eyes, hold my breath and jump. Then I have to deal with it. It’s this attitude that has led me to some amazing opportunities.”