Where are you living and how long have you been there?
I currently live on a 50 m superyacht, based in the Caribbean sea for six months and the other six months in the Mediterranean Sea. I’ve been living abroad since April 2023.
Where did you grow up?
Whitianga.
When did you live there?
From the age of 10 until 24.
Which school did you attend?
Mercury Bay Area School.
Highlights since you finished school?
1. After leaving school I studied for a year and got my Early Childcare Qualifications. I have always loved looking after children and watching them grow.
2. Moving to the Mount (Tauranga) was the best decision! Getting out of the small town on my own made me independent. It also opened up a range of new hobbies and insights. Becoming the manager at the local surf shop was a dream come true but after a couple years I got the travel itch again, which led me to my life now.
3. From speaking with people around me, I got the idea of combining my love for childcare and the ocean and made it a career. I did a week-long course at the polytechnic which would lead me to a job as a stewardess on a superyacht. I took a risk and moved to the South of France where I began a bloody hard search for a step into the yachting industry. It took time, but I made epic friends from all over the world, saw incredible places and got offered the position as a 3rd stewardess on the superyacht.
How do you spend your days now?
They’re always different, but my routine usually goes like this:
5:45 am: Wake up and clean the interior of the boat before the guests wake up, 6:30 am: Set the breakfast table, 8 am: Breakfast service & guest cabin cleans/turn ups, 10 am: Break, 12 pm: Lunch service & cabin cleans, 6 pm: Set the table for dinner service, 7 pm: Canapés for the guests, 7:30 pm: Dinner service & cabin cleans/turndowns, 8:30/9 pm: I’m off to sleep.
In between these times the guests may play in the water, go for a hike or they may just be relaxing on the decks. It’s always changing!
What are you most proud of?
I’m proud of the person I’ve become. Sometimes I forget that what I’m doing is incredible, especially because sometimes I work six weeks straight without a day off. My friends and family often remind me how proud they are and it makes me see how great my life is.
What are your fondest memories of home?
I often miss home and our friendly people. I miss the beaches, and being comfortable and settled. In this job you’re never ‘settled’ and never in one place long enough to be comfortable, but I love it for now, and I’m sure when I visit home I’ll miss this place too.
Have you been back home recently? Impressions?
I haven’t been home since April 2023, and I won’t be visiting home until April 2024.
Who are you looking forward to catching up with next time you are home?
My dad; he’s my best friend. My family, my sister. My best friends, the girls!
What advice would you give younger you?
Don’t be worried if you don’t know what you want to do. I remember stressing about leaving school, because I had no idea what I wanted to be, it was daunting. But I’ve realised now that I’ve done everything I’ve wanted to do since then. I’m living my life to the fullest and the only person I have to thank for that is myself. Keep pushing! You can do anything you want with the right mindset and willpower! I may be cleaning rich people’s toilets and showers for 60% of my days, but I’m so happy.
Biggest life lesson so far?
Never doubt yourself, your abilities and what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it. Be unapologetic. You’ll attract the right people when you are yourself. It’s cheesy, but this quote has stuck with me since I heard it: “Go where you’re celebrated, never where you’re tolerated.” This means so much to me!
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Support of Ron Morgan
PROUD TO BE LOCAL — BROUGHT TO YOU BY CFM — IS OUR INSPIRATIONAL FEATURE, HIGHLIGHTING HOME-GROWN COROMANDEL PENINSULA FOLKS DOING WONDERFUL THINGS OUT IN THE WORLD.
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