As New Zealand’s most famous funeral directors, Francis and Kaiora Tipene are used to dealing with grief and sadness each and every day. But for this couple – who shot to fame in 2018 with their hit television series The Casketeers – love, laughter and happiness are never far away.
When the pair sit down to talk with Woman’s Day about their incredible journey together, it’s obvious theirs is a special relationship that has only deepened since they met in 2004 at a Maori teacher’s training college in Auckland.
“When I first saw him, I was wowed,” confesses Kaiora. “I was wowed by his singing, his guitar playing – and his hair was so fine, just like now.”
And the feeling was mutual, with Francis, 36, gushing, “I loved the way she did the poi ​and was just so, so beautiful.”
Both in relationships with other people, their feelings were put on hold but eventually circumstances changed and by August they were a couple. Then, four months later, Kaiora discovered she was pregnant.
“My first thought was that I would have to get work and the second thing was facing her mother and family,” recalls Francis. “But I didn’t want to hide because I really was in deep love.”
It was a complicated situation for the two lovebirds. While they’d both grown up in similar circumstances in Northland, Francis came from a Catholic background while Kaiora’s family is Mormon.
This story is from the February 10 2020 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 10 2020 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
JUDGE JAY-JAY
More FM radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
JON'S JOURNEY - BEING MAORI & DEAF MADE ME A TARGET
The Auckland sign language tutor has overcome enormous challenges
'WE WENT ON THE RUN FROM RUSSIA!'
Now safe in New Zealand, Nick and his family hid in the outback for three years
DEFYING THE ODDS MADDIS ON'S MILESTONE BIRTHDAY
One of the tiniest babies born in New Zealand is about to turn 10!
Farmer And rew & Jess' big day WE'RE STILL ON CLOUD 9!
The reality stars say 'I do' in a perfect country ceremony
Gordon Ramsays 'THIS IS THE REAL ME'
The fiery celebrity chef has cooked up a sizzling new reality show
KIWI STAR LOREN - 'I OWE MY LIFE TO MY SISTER'
The actress reveals why she seemingly disappeared after her starring role in Eagle Vs Shark
Lee & Luke's - RECIPE FOR LOVE
The Cantabrian contestants reveal the secrets of their incredibly strong mother-son bond
JEN GARNER FINALLY TELLS - MY SIDE OF THE STORY!
The actress breaks her silence at last on her relationship with ex-husband Ben Affleck
JESS BREAKOUT ROLE - 'KIWIS DON'T REALLY CARE IF YOU'RE FAMOUS'
The Palmerston North actress is in demand after her part in Netflix hit 3 Body Problem