Wellington
08 January - 12 January 2025
This is the first post on The Places We’ve Been that includes our little family. I first started this website back when Monita and I were living in London. It’s crazy to think that we arrived back home 7 years ago! In that time a lot has happened; a wedding, a house to renovate, covid, a baby, an unfinished house, and another baby. Now that life with two kids has eased into a good rhythm - it’s time to slowly reignite our travel bug.
We spent 4 nights in Wellington for my cousins wedding, it was a big family affair! We made the 7 hour drive down from Hamilton with only one stop needed. Monita smashed the first 4 hour leg non stop to Taihape. A lunch and run around break was well earned. We took a detour through Levin to stop past my childhood home, and a mural I painted in intermediate 25 years ago, which astonishingly hasn’t been pulled down!
We traversed Transmission Gulley in sideways rain and arrived to a dry but gloomy Wellington. With the kids down and babysitters in tow (thanks Mum and Pa) I convinced Monita to go out for a night cap with Nam and Ash. The Library was the place to be.
The next day we took all the kids to Te Papa, it was pretty hectic but they loved it, especially finishing off with some ice cream! Capitilising on the fact we had babysitters the whole trip, Mon Aidan and I met up for dinner with Nidhie and Komal at Ombra. It’s safe to say no one went home hungry - all the carbs!
Friday, wedding day! Since we had some free time in the morning, we jumped on the Croc bikes and cruised up and down Oriental Bay. Then it was time to head back to the AirBNB and get wedding ready. Neerti and Luke got married in the Bontanic garden and it was absolutely beautiful - all the cliches about the weather was thrown around, and for good reason. You can’t be Wellington on a good day!
The reception was in Begonia House, another epic spot. It’s a special part of the Gardens and has been around from the 60’s. There has been talks about the safety of the house and what needs to be done to bring up to an earthquake prone standard - which at this time seems like it may be saved to hopefully see another 60 years.
The final full day in Wellington before making the 8 hour trek back to Auckland (which we very successful with one stop in Taupo). We headed to the Chocolate Fish Café in Shelly Bay. The food was delicious. Another stunning Wellington day before we headed back to the AirBNB, relaxed, packed, grabbed lunch and then got ready for a big family dinner at Monsoon Poon.
I love creating images that speak to me.
I grew up in a small town that nobody really knows about, Levin. Spent a good ten years in Hamilton making some of the best friends anyone could have. And now I’m living, working and playing in the city of Auckland, New Zealand. Also a small country that people have trouble locating – I’m looking at you America!
Life is about stories, and that’s what I love to capture and document. My shooting style is unobtrusive. You may be a natural in front of the camera, or have no idea what to do but before we even start I’ll make sure you’re comfortable and relaxed.
Things I love: Travelling to wherever I can, my partner Monita, homemade burgers, wood fired pizzas, the smell of rain on a hot summers day, mountains, the snow, sunsets and sunrises, star gazing, natural light, the aesthetic of wood, crashing waves and day dreaming.