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What does a day in Manawatū look like to you?
I wish I could say I had a calming, zen early morning routine, that I woke up at 5am to meditate and answer emails before starting my day... I have the best intentions, but we have a five year old who makes his way into our bed in the early hours of every morning, so right now in this season of life, I'm prioritising sleep.
My husband Darron is the Head of Sport at Feilding High School and a basketball coach so he's usually out the door before 8. Ultimately, there's no point in me even trying to get any work done until Bodhi is out of the house!
I do try to have some balance at the start of my day though. I don't book any shoots before 9:30 because I like to walk Bodhi to school and then head home to answer any emails or do a bit of editing before I head out for the day. It means I do split my work hours up and end up working most evenings, but I love having the flexibility to watch Bodhi's sport or go to a yoga class at Satya, or deal with any life admin during the day if needed.
Being a photographer means that every day is wildly different and I love that. One day I might be in the studio photographing squishy newborns and connecting with new parents, or on location for a local business photographing content for their website or social media. I used to photograph weddings and travel all over the place, but I'm in my homebody era now and so happy to focus on business close to home which means I can maximize time with my family. I'm grateful to have a business that's busy and that I'm doing something I truly love.
Sounds like no day is the same for you! What does your ideal weekend in Manawatū look like?
Darron and I are career renovators. We have literally always had something on the go for the last 25 years! We've often been asked why we don't go on The Block, but we'd be the couple that had to bleep every sentence that came out of our mouths. Our weekends are usually filled with doing something around the house in some form, and if not that, then Darron has a basketball commitment or I might be working on a Saturday in my studio. Kids birthday parties and playdates are a thing for us now that Bodhi is 5. We are also planning more trips around the region to explore new things now that Bodhi is that bit older.
Darron loves getting out for a round at Feilding Golf Course, while I enjoy pottering with my houseplants, reading, and op-shopping - though I wish I had more time for it! We’re always on the lookout for new parks and walking tracks, and our recent favorite is Urban Eels on He Ara Kotahi. Having Bodhi has inspired us to explore more, and finding fun ways to keep him busy has turned out to be a great adventure for all of us!
Luckily, Manawatū has endless options for free family fun, from scenic walks to great playgrounds and outdoor spaces to enjoy together. Our weekends are usually non-stop, and the to-do list never seems to shrink, but as long as we squeeze in a couple of hours together doing something fun, we feel recharged. We love wrapping up the weekend with a cheeky Sunday night fish and chip catch up with friends - usually from Park Road Fish and Chips or Terrace End Takeaways - while the kids play at Memorial Park splash pad and we soak up the sunshine.
You're always on the go! I know you’ve also been on the move in the past, what makes you want to live in Manawatū?
I moved to Palmerston North from Hawke’s Bay at 18 to study at Massey University. I never planned to stay long term, but then I met Darron at 20, and the rest is history! Darron was born and raised here, and life was so easy and fun that staying just felt right.
In 2015 Darron was offered a job coaching basketball at Pepperdine University in Malibu, so we moved to the States for 3 years. It was a cool experience but it was also a huge adjustment, having to spend a lot of time in the car every weekend just to get places. Not to mention the cost of rent! There was no way we could afford to buy a home in either LA or Honolulu where we lived while Darron worked at the University of Hawaii. When our time there was up, we were able to head back to Palmy and pick up right where we left off.
Life is pretty hectic juggling all our work and outside commitments as well as having a reno in some form or another constantly on the go, but living in Manawatū makes all the things we jam into our life possible. We aren't stuck in traffic commuting, so we have more time to get things done every day. Living in Palmy has also been more affordable compared to the bigger cities, which means we have been able to afford to travel overseas a bit, that's probably the only thing we've ever splurged on.
When you aren’t in work or reno-mode, what’s your favourite thing to do with your family?
We are getting ready to finish up our last reno, after 25 years of working most weekends it's time for a slower pace so that we can spend more time together. We love a wee brunch at Moxies and it's not a weekend without a trip to Mitre 10! There's an endless number of parks to explore for Bodhi, the Esplanade is his favourite, and an afternoon ice cream from Summerhays Superette is fast becoming a family tradition. I personally love Caroline's Gardens in Aokautere, the gift shop is gorgeous and with the cafe run by Artisan Kitchen, it’s such a lovely way to spend a couple of hours. We enjoy a simple walk - Bodhi on his scooter, stopping to pat every dog that crosses our path - along one of the shared river walkways. I joke that the Manawatū River Pathway is my "outdoor studio"; I've been taking family portraits there for years as it's just so stunning!
You definitely know your way around the region! What do you think is a common misconception about Manawatū?
I think Palmy gets labelled as a city that's boring and has crap weather. It's just not true! We have so many awesome restaurants and cafes, walks and hikes. There is literally always some form of event on. I think we have a great balance of things available to us - sporting activities, arts and markets, shopping and dining. We really do have it all and it's all so close. It's so easy to live here.
When you’re hosting visiting friends and family, what do you recommend they do while they're here?
Morning coffee and a scone at Coffee on Ascot. A yoga class at Satya. Do a round of all the amazing thrift stores! Lunch at Yeda or Munch, a spot of shopping at the gorgeous stores on George Street, and an afternoon wine at Little Savanna or Fat Farmer. I think I just described my perfect day!
Keep up to date with Toni by following her Instagram. Whether you are looking to capture a special moment in time, or you just like an aesthetically pleasing feed and pop ups of cute, chubby bubbys, it’s always a good time, or see Toni's work on her website.
Palmerston North City i-SITE
The Square, Palmerston North
0800 MANAWATU
(626 292)
[email protected]
Feilding and District
Information Centre
Feilding Railway Station
61 Aorangi Street
+64 6 323 3318
[email protected]
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