Thriving, Falling in Love and Life on a Rugged Outpost

I first set foot in the Chathams, an island archipelago 800km east of Christchurch, just over five and a half years ago. I was young, a newlywed, and following my then husband who had taken a farm job there. I uprooted my life, packed my worldly belongings into a 20ft container and took off on an island adventure. People thought we were crazy!

To be honest, like many people, I hadn’t even heard of the Chatham Islands until a few months before I made the move here. The changing landscape of rocky coastlines and sandy beaches, native bush and salty peat soil. It’s the total opposite of the dry, tussock-covered hill country of Central Otago where I grew up.

Stepping off the bulky, cold and extremely noisy Convair plane, which had a very convenient drip located right above my seat, my first impression wasn’t exactly love at first sight. I was well used to rural life, and have spent time living on remote high-country stations, but I knew then that this rock in the ocean would be a challenge for me in more ways than one. It takes remote living to a whole new level.

Little did I know then that it would only be a matter of months before my life would change drastically again; by the end of my first year here I found myself single. But I was also thriving in my job teaching at the local primary school, surrounded by amazing people, and falling in love with what the island had to offer – the land, the sea, the community, the freedom, the lifestyle.

I always tell people that when it comes to the Chathams, it really is a place you just can or can’t do. That first year, I went back to Central Otago for Christmas and New Year with my family, and then returned to the island in the new year with a new lease on life and feeling like I had something to prove.

Soon I crossed paths with my now partner Kenny, a born-and-bred islander. We had met in passing a few times before and, I guess, noticed each other. An island with a population of only 600 means it’s easy to take note and remember people. But this time, at a 90s-themed party at the derelict golf club, we locked eyes and never looked back.

We spent most of our first year together adventuring to all sorts of secret spots, hidden gems and getaways all over both the main island, Chatham, and the smaller Pitt Island. Hunting, possum trapping, camping in the bush and thrashing around on motorcycles. During these intrepid journeys around the islands our love for each other grew quickly, and so did my love for the Chathams.

Kenny and I have had a roller coaster few years together. Our relationship has been a crazy journey with some incredibly tough times but many happy and joyful times, too. With our children Lauren (2) and Hunter (1), our family is now complete. We have a successful fencing contract and manage Te Matarae, a 250ha sheep and beef property.

We have huge plans for the future and hope to grow our business and set up a new home, all while raising children and navigating the unique challenges that come with living on a remote island.

I look forward to sharing my experiences here – the good and the not so good! – and offering Social Club readers a glimpse of what life is like here on the Chatham Islands.