Gary

From Dunedin, New Zealand but have lived in many parts of the country. After completing a degree at Victoria University I travelled through North America and Europe for 5 years.  Returning to New Zealand in 1976, my first wife and I had a daughter, Melissa.  A second daughter, Hannah, died at birth.

My career in New Zealand has been in the insurance industry.  In 2006 I took on the role of CEO at the Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand.

I enjoy running and have completed several half marathons.  However, running has ceased since a tendon reconstruction and subsequently breaking my left leg in two places. 

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Belinda

Lived in Wellington, New Zealand until we moved north to Auckland in 1998.  I have had a strong dancing background - tap dancing (10 years), ballet, jazz ballet, rock 'n roll, and later became a line dancing instructor.

In 1991 I launched my career in a reception role for an IT company.  Over the years I have had administration positions in insurance broking, recruitment consulting and realty industries.  While raising our two children, I ran my own company from home providing secretarial and desktop publishing services to several small businesses.  In June 2005 I returned to full time work as Administration Manager and then took up a PA role at Sheffield Recruitment.  In 2007 I decided to go to university full time achieving a Bachelor of Education, specialising in early childhood.  I am now a registered teacher working in a private kindergarten.

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Melissa

Started out in Wellington, New Zealand (daughter of Gary and his first wife Gloria). Melissa went to school in Wellington and later at a boarding school in Masterton.

While at school, Melissa did well in swimming and was an enthusiastic netball player as well as a coach. She had quite a talent for music, learning to play instruments with ease.

Melissa is currently living in Auckland.

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Jamie

He attends St Heliers School and is doing particularly well in reading and mathematics. Jamie has now been learning the guitar for several years and has progressed very well. 

Jamie enjoys computer games, he is a bit of a computer "nerd".  He spends lots of time with Caitlyn and they both love the beach and swimming.  Jamie has also started studying Tai Kwon Do which he does two nights a week.

He already has the appetite of a teenager and is shooting up very fast!

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Caitlyn

Caitlyn has always been advanced for her age, probably from trying to outsmart her older brother.  She enjoys school, something she took to with no trouble.

She loves singing and dancing and is full of confidence, no need for Jamie to look after her when she started school.  Caitlyn has taken up rhythmic gymnastics which she is doing twice a week.  She is also looking at taking up a musical instrument. 

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Baileys

Baileys joined our family in December 1998 from the SPCA.

She enjoys hunting and has brought in many a grasshopper, lizard and various other insects, as well as the occasional mouse. However, as she now approaches middle age, her level of activity is dropping and lying in the sun or in front of the heater is the preferred option.

Tashi

Tashi was born on the 16th November 2007 and joined us in January 2008.

She is a Tibetan Spaniel, so is only around 27cm tall, however she likes to try and boss Baileys who will have none of it and stands her ground using the occasional swipe of the paw to remind Tashi who is in charge..  

Her name, Tashi, is Tibetan for "prosperity, lucky, good luck, auspicious".