Living on Aotea, Great Barrier Island presents many challenges that fall into the category of "how New Zealand was". All of Aotea is off-grid (no mains power) which makes life challenging at the best of times. Where we live, we are dependant on a generator from Orama Oasis, which allows us 10 hours per day - broken between morning and evenings. It can be a mental game that plays on your internal perspectives on life.

The Internet is restricted by power and does not always work, often being quite weak or having trouble connecting. Given many of our lines of communication and interactions rely on the internet now, it is the way we stay connected with others around the world; it can be very frustrating. My photography business is affected by the limit to this resource, and often at work, with Hillary Outdoors, I have struggled and get frustrated at the slow or no connection.

Food is expensive! You have to either fly or freight it onto the island, and so what you pay in the supermarket is a third more after you pay for the service of getting here. Sometimes, we have to drive to the airport at Claris, which is 50+ km return on a windy and hilly road. We have lost food due to being miss placed. One time we lost 2kilos of Chicken and other items due to it not being in a chiller. That's expensive losses.

Where we live is isolated. Ironically people say to meet the community; you need to get out to certain events etc. Yet we have been working so much, and so many days when it comes to getting out, we are exhausted and need to recuperate some energy. It is often a huge effort to leave home again after a long day when you have to walk a short distance along the coast to the vehicle to drive out of the bay. And we have as part of our job, 'Duty Manager' where you have to be in contact within return of 30 minutes. With only three people who can do that, and I live with one of them, it is hopeless for work, life balance.

When I brought the house at Koputai, Port Chalmers, one feature that attracted me was a small, compact section, where I could do the lawns in 20 minutes and spend more time out doing things and being with those I love. Now I seem to have the most difficult lawns in the world, steep, matted grass that is epic to mow, on top of another section below. In fact, I mowed all three sections, and it was quite the workout, and which took far more than 20 minutes!

We have no cell coverage in our Bay apart from a few random patches which are unreliable, so you can not call friends or family, and when you do call, you often miss them.

Getting everyday items is tricky, having to do that online all the time.

So that sounds like I am whinging? Naaaaaaa. Purley pointing out the challenging aspects of living here. People see Facebook, and I often think they think it is like paradise with honey and wine. Yes, there is a bottle or two in the fridge and great Aotea honey here. It's just it is more challenging living here than you think. And often the difference between visiting as a holiday person compared to a day in day out living here is quite different. Aspects that are great:

Only having 10 hours of power you don't spend all day glued to a screen. Nor are you tempted to get sucked in. So you often get out and do active things which are way better for your health.

Food is expensive. However, you just have to be more organised and plan better. Also, with no cafes (actually there are but a drive away), we are actually saving more money. Cafes vacuumed my bank account and I was a sucker for coffee and scones!

Living in such an isolated place is lovely. The people around are amazing, like Sarah, Will and the Burgess family, Dave and Kim, Jordan, Abi, Becks. And the people that visit are just wonderful. Small communities are the best and you look out for each other. I love that! And re Duty manager, well I will work on solutions for that one!

Doing lawns is quite satisfying and I really don't have to mow that much all the time. Also, we often share the mowing anyway and how nice is it to do that for others anywho!

Having no cell phone coverage is bliss! I have had 30 years of being chased by a cell phone, with calls in the night from my last job. I am happy it does not ring anymore. I love to hear from people, just not work so much!

Also not having access to shops is great - again you save so much money cause you can't just pop down and spend!