A HOLIDAY romance

KERRE FALLS IN LOVE WITH THE HOKI ALL OVER AGAIN, SEEING IT THROUGH HER GRANDKIDS’ EYES

Tom and I always imagined, when we bought our sanctuary in the Hokianga, that one day the kids would come home and they, and the grandchildren, would love it as much as we do. The Hokianga is not to everybody’s taste. I’m not sure I would have loved the Hoki as a teenager.

At 16, I was all about Mt Maunganui and WhangamataÌ„ – white sand beaches and places to shop, hang out and check out other kids like me. Basically, I wanted my own environment transplanted to a picturesque beach. The Hokianga is not that.

So, while Tom and I dreamed the kids would find the same peace and connection we had with the place, and we’ve held on to that dream even though we’re no longer living together, there were no guarantees.