10 Living the simple life in the Pelorus Sound

from Marlborough Magazine April 2022

On the Street

Living the simple life in the Pelorus Sound

Living remotely can be a tough but rewarding lifestyle that many of us can only dream about. Amy Russ talks to three families who have built their lifestyle around living the dream permanently in the remote Pelorus Sound.

Words: Amy Russ Summa Donald

With rose-coloured glasses, the peace and tranquillity, romantic simple lifestyle of the Marlborough Sounds is a far cry from the overloaded sensory-smashing, stress-filled, hustle and bustle, of suburban living. However, the realities of it include a lot of hard work, dedication, adaptability and resilience – but the payoff can be tremendous. Kelly and Trevor Foote reside at Wilson Bay Farm with their two children Gareth (17) and Kaitlyn (14). Trevor is the fifth-generation farmer of the Foote family to live on the land. Despite still being a part of the mainland there are no roads to Wilson Bay and Havelock is the closest port, 18 nautical miles away by boat. Kelly says up until recently the family's main focus was farming, but they have now diversified into other areas as well.

“We do many different things, we have a farmhouse for holiday accommodation, do historical farm tours, pest control, maintenance for bach owners and own mussel farms.”

Initially from the North Island, she first met Trevor over 25 years ago and jokes saying, “After being invited back for a bit of shearing and tailing, I passed the test and was proven to be good wife-material!” The couple raised their children on the farm, saying the driving force behind their lifestyle is the history of the land.

“This is the way that Trevor grew up, and the same with our children. Being that next generation, the kids learn so much from the descendants before them, there is so much history, and we love the lifestyle.” The children studied via correspondence school, before going on to boarding school for their college years, Kelly has loved raising her family in a remote environment.

“We have a lot of family time, mustering together, hunting and fishing. All the cool memories we have as a family. We have been through so much together, all the challenges that life throws at you, and I think we have a really strong bond because of it.” Being ‘pretty much’ self-sufficient has enabled the family to be resilient and keep an open mind to changing circumstances. “We have had to learn to diversify and change what we do to be able to continue to live out here. What worked for generations in the past is not necessarily going to work for us, with the way the world is rapidly changing.” Technology keeps friends and family close, but the biggest challenge, Kelly says, can be the weather. “You have to plan your life around it, and it really dictates a lot. A gale force NW or fog so thick you can barely see your hand in front of your face! It’s not a good choice to go to town on those days.” Turning off phones and the internet occasionally is not a bad habit for people to get into says Kelly. “They take up too much brain power and stifle creativity. Also learn as much as you can from the older generation, how life was for them. Learn an old skill before it dies out and pass it on to your children. It may come in handy one day!” Frank Higgott and Sue Caldwell are no strangers to living remotely either, with their children Piripi (15) and Heeni (13) having spent their entire lives raised in remote environments.

Based in their boat-access-only Northwest Bay home for the last five years, the family had spent the previous thirteen years living and working on offshore islands for Department of Conservation (DOC). Now self-employed with a small property maintenance business, Frank is also as an artist specialising in wood sculptures. The children have done all of their schooling through Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Correspondence School). Located 15 nautical miles away from Havelock in Pelorus Sound they say living remotely forces you to work a bit harder, to achieve day-to-day life. “It involves a bit more planning, working around the weather, tides and sea conditions. You can't just walk out the door and jump in the car.” “We feel it promotes quite a healthy lifestyle and helps us appreciate things more. It is easier to live

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1. The Pelorus Mail boat, each week delivering goods to the residents of the Pelorus Sound. 2. Caldwell family, Sue, Heeni, Frank and Piripi. 3. DOC Ranger, Nick Fisentzidis, with son Theo. 4. Kelly and Trevor Foote from Wilson Bay Farm

this simple lifestyle that we enjoy, away from the mainstream.”

The family make a conscious effort to connect with family and friends saying, “Living remotely isn’t as isolating as it used to be, now that people can connect easily over the internet.” They live a busied and varied life, with peace and quiet. “We also like the self-sufficiency that comes with it. We are off-grid and have a solar power system, enjoy growing a vege garden, having bees and supplementing our food with a bit of hunting and fishing.” “This lifestyle demands ingenuity, and this is a skill we have developed and really enjoy.” The biggest thing people can do, they say, is pass on to their children to make do with what you have and learn how to go without. “It is amazing when living a simple life, how much money you don’t need.” Gen Spargo and Nick Fisentzidis job share the DOC island ranger position at Ngati Kuia’s rohe Te Pākeka Maud Island in Pelorus Sound.

They have two children, Theo (5) and Georgia (2), and are the only residents on the island, situated around an hour's boat ride away from Havelock. The resident rangers have been working for DOC since 2007. Prior to being based there they were posted on Kapiti and Mana Islands since 2012, and say it is an honour to live in a place so untouched. “It is a bit of a step back in time to how Aotearoa would have been in the past, and it allows the kids a pretty cool start in life, we think.” Work on the island is varied. “On any given day we might be walking tracks to the biosecurity devices that keep the motu safe, maintaining infrastructure, mowing lawns, working with volunteers and generally trying to keep on top of everything.” Four months into their role, the family are loving island life. “It is a privilege to live out here and our kids get the freedom of childhood unlie most urban kids, we are grateful for that. Living in amongst rare wildlife is a daily highlight and sharing the place with visitors is awesome.”

DOC staff, volunteers, school groups, students and researchers visit the island during certain times of the year bringing regular interactions, but for the most part, basic internet keep them in contact with family and friends. “Keeping connected to the mainland can be challenging but it’s vital for our sanity. The mailboat is an exciting weekly event, not quite the usual way mainlanders get their mail. Theo often runs down the hill eager to greet the friendly staff and the mailbag full of Te Kura goodies or the like.” Nick says although they might have to plan a bit more ahead than others, they have everything they could need to live the simple life. “We have learnt to be grateful for the very little things...and you always need more food than you think... Try and remember you can go ‘off-grid’ no matter where you are, you don’t have to be physically remote, this is always available to you. Turn off your phone. Treat yourself to a few deep breaths. It is ok to slow down and not succumb to having to be so busy all the time.” Special thanks to Levon and the crew of the Pelorus Mail boat. Marlborough Magazine Editor, Summa Donald enjoyed an inspiring trip filled with laughter (thanks to Skipper Levon’s wit and banter) and amazement. Summa was able to meet our three families and capture them in their element, smiling proudly while welcoming the passengers of the Mail Boat proudly to their slice of paradise.

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