Happy living in the moment
Imoved from Australia to Ahipara with my wha¯nau three years ago. Our connection to Kaitaia is through my husband’s family. We wanted to come home from Australia to live here, and to support and look after his mum, and give her the care she needed. She has dementia and needed our help.
It is important to me to help out, as that’s just in my nature.
I’m very loyal, emotional. I love deeply, and I’m happy, so being a part of this amazing community was a no-brainer for me. Being able to give back and teach our tamariki how to do so is important to both myself and my husband Nikki. I love looking after my kids and my family, and spending time with my friends, as well as self-love and self-care.
It takes time to meet the right people. My husband always tells me, “Your tribe will come to you eventually”. I love surfing, being outdoors, fitness, creating things and baking. Since I have been here I have got out and done things for our community. I enjoy setting goals and challenges for myself and my wha¯nau.
Watching my boys try to learn something new is amazing. They might try 50 times, but then achieve it. That’s always a proud moment. I can’t wait for the future, to see what it’s going to bring for our wha¯nau, but in saying that, I’m happy to live in the moment.
I was born in Tawonga, which is in Victoria. When I was a child we moved to the central coast of New South Wales, and that’s where I met my Ma¯ori husband. My heart is in Victoria — that’s where my family are from and still live — my mum, dad, aunts, uncles, cousins — and where my memories of my pop are.
When I was a child I remember we were always doing lots of laughing, having fun, swimming in the river and riding our bikes around my grandparents’ house. My parents taught me to help others, to be humble, and if you see someone who needs help to stop and help them.
I try to instill that in my children as well; it’s important to both my husband and I.
We had visited Ahipara before, but I was apprehensive about moving here permanently. It had a huge impact on our lives, and we totally changed our lifestyle. It’s been a good impact though. When you live here, there’s so much going on and the community is awesome. If one person wants to do something, everyone jumps on to help.
It has been good for us to diversify ourselves and adapt to a different culture, for myself and our boys, and teach them their Ma¯ori culture as well. I love our new life here, there’s such a great community spirit.
Our boys and I have grown in ourselves so much because of the life we now live, and it’s great to be a part of. Be true to yourself. Because that’s when you’ll find your happiness.