Reality bites
The Art
While he would sometimes like to put The Bachelor behind him, Art is eternally grateful to the show for helping him find his wife.
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E V O L IN G IN Y A T S R O F S ART’S TIP Valentine’s Day might be on the horizon, but New Zealand’s most loved-up couple won’t be celebrating the occasion! Art admits he and Matilda don’t really believe in the dedicated day of romance on February 14, instead saying they work at keeping their love alive each and every day, explaining, “We make a daily effort to show we value and appreciate each other, and constantly reassure the other how much we love them.” While Art remembers placing more importance on Valentine’s Day when he was younger, since falling head over heels for Matilda and becoming a dad, he’ll find any excuse to express his love and gratitude for his gorgeous family. “Mattie and I truly feel it’s what you do most that matters, which is why every day feels like Valentine’s Day for us,” says Art. “We aren’t keeping any great secret, but
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Woman’s Day
believe that communicating through good times and bad, and always making time for each other has built the foundations of our relationship.” With their baby boy now in tow, quality time together looks a little different for the new parents, who relish their quiet nights in. “The new date night is winding down at home once Milo is tucked up in bed. We’ll put our screens away, cook a nice meal and just be present with each other,” shares Art. “I’m sure we’ll call on the babysitters one day, but for now simply being together as a family of three is what makes us truly happy.”
The reality star’s date with destiny
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hile all eyes were on lovely Lesina NakhidSchuster when The Bachelorette NZ made its hotly anticipated debut last week, the dating show’s familiar host Art Green was captivated by another beautiful woman. Just moments into the first episode, the former Bachelor was surprised to clock eyes on flashback footage showing a beaming, baby-faced Matilda Rice stepping out of the limo. “It was like being in a time warp,” recalls 31-year-old Art, whose heart skipped a beat as he relived that pivotal moment o of meeting his now wife. “It was like seeing Mattie for the first time all over again; she was so herself in every way – confident, gorgeous and graceful – it gave m me butterflies. Considering all the amazing things that have h happened between us, to think th hat we were just two, young nervous strangers back then co ompletely blows my mind.” Indeed, since finding love on the reality show’s debut se eason back in 2015 there have been countless highs for the couple, who purchased their first home and tied the knot before welcoming their adorable baby boy Milo in September last year. With so much happy history behind him, Art says stepping back into the reality TV environment as host on the TVNZ 2 series was an exciting prospect. “Sometimes Mattie and I have