Turning passion for classic wheels into a career BY JODI BRYANT
Finn feels she is inspirational to women where once you’d only see the woman in the passenger seat.
Classic vehicles have run through Finnesse Kairau’s blood from day dot. Although it took her around 40 years to own one herself, clapping eyes on a Chevrolet or Thunderbird always triggered something within.
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nstead, during a diverse career path involving professional acting, farming, butchery, family violence and aged care, she drove the likes of a Volvo, Land Rover, tractors and quad bikes. Her acting career, which spanned 12 years and included lead movie roles, began at age 14 on the then-new Shortland Street playing pregnant teen Aroha. The controversy her character created once lead to Finn being attacked in a supermarket by an elderly woman. Ironically, working in aged care led to her finally getting behind the wheel of a classic car and follow the dream she’d harboured for 25 years and, these days, the elderly are among her most grateful customers. “One of my clients was 107 and said, ‘You’ve got to do it because, by the time you get to our age, you’re not getting any younger’.” By then in her early 40s, Finn left her role in aged care and took the first steps in actioning her plan of owning her own fleet of classic vehicles for tours and funerals – the latter triggered by a deep longing close to the heart. “I’ve lost five of my brothers who were motorcycle enthusiasts and I know they would have just loved that kind of send-off,” Finn says. Her first purchase was in May 2019 with an original Harley Davidson Road King Trike, along with a hearse carriage.
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“It was a great find and I saw it as a sign. “When you start, you have a concept and a passion and to see it today and it’s real and happened, is the most beautiful journey.” Her journey really began as a child, the youngest of 12 siblings and a further six halfsiblings, her father collected classic cars and motorcycles and her brothers later followed suit. As a family, they travelled throughout the country and Finn has many memories of isolated and beautiful destinations. “I have long-noted the need for enthusiastic, compassionate local Maori tour guides with a wealth of cultural and local knowledge who are keen to showcase these fascinating venues that are a vital part of our heritage.”
Touring over the open roads in comfort and at a leisurely pace in a well-appointed classic car or motorcycle was definitely the way to go through Finn’s eyes. With family connections in Northland, she settled in Whangarei, after meeting partner Dr Larry Thompson in the Far North while he was working at Kaitaia Hospital. The practising physician, now at White Cross Whangarei, is also her business partner and chief financial officer. Together they carefully crafted a plan, forming Te Ao Mako Enterprises Ltd, based at the Town Basin and from which they run Elysian Wheels, TAME the Beast Classic Excursion Tours and Wedding Cars on Quayside. The couple began sourcing and obtaining their fleet of classic vehicles and preparing them with certification repairs. “Even before we had a garage we had vehicles all over Whangarei,” laughs Larry. The business got off to a good start when they entered the Waipu Classic Car Show in
The 'Magic Carriage' is one of Finn's most popular additions.
Winning Peoples’ Choice at the Waipu Classic Car Show last year was an affirmation for Finn.
February winning the Peoples’ Choice award and subsequently obtaining their first funeral job. “It was an affirmation and it felt fantastic.” Then came lockdown. “We were just hanging on by our finger nails but we kept going because there was no way I was turning back,” says Finn, adding that they managed to survive the pandemic by sheer force of will.
Elysian Wheels provides an alternative to the mainstream traditional funeral service
