Born and Raised is our inspirational feature, highlighting homegrown Coromandel Peninsula peeps doing wonderful things out in the world.
When did you live there?
1976-2006.
Which school did you attend?
MBAS.
Highlights since you finished school?
Moved around a fair amount. Ōtorohanga, Hoe-O-Tainui, Whenuakite, Whangamatā, Dunedin, San Diego, upstate NY, Charleston SC, Oahu HI, Chesapeake VA. Moved to the US in 2006. Marriages, children, grandchildren, military spouse, homeschooler, online art education, + …
How do you spend your days now?
Developing an art business, painting and taking care of family and pets. Travelling for continuing art education and visiting family.
What about the culture where you are, do you like the most?
I have enjoyed living in the US since 2006 and have had the wonderful experience of living in various states on both the East and West coasts and also in Honolulu. I’ve been thrilled to live and experience everyday life in the North and South of the States. Each state has its specialty beauty, topography, flora and fauna, flavours and foods thrown into the mix. The landscape is vast and breathtaking! There are always opportunities to pursue or access anything you might wish to learn or experience, with many regional and national subcultures fully expressing their particular interest.
What are you most proud of?
My amazing children and grandchildren.
What are your fondest memories of home?
Living very close to my Maunga, the bay sparkling or stormy, all the places I’ve lived around Whiti and memories of growing up there. As a teenager doing doughnuts on the beachfront in Bruce Robson’s, or the Jarvie brothers’, or Daran Arnold’s cars while listening to Talking Heads or a Flock of Seagulls, going to DD Smash and other amazing concerts at the town park, New Year’s eve in the drinking establishments back in the day (pre-1998), riding my horse to pony club at Wade Rd (halfway to Kūaotunu) and the Sunday sessions at pony club, quite a feat when I look back. The people that helped me through some of my hardest times, most especially Sandra and Joanna (Mathieu), and life with my whānau; my wonderful late father, Peter Tiki Johnston (he passed in 2014 but was also pretty much always late to everything, hahaha!) and my mum Roz who still lives there. They taught me the gift of hospitality, kindness, generosity and integrity, amongst other things. Also, growing up with my brother and sister, Peter Matai and Toya, both fantastically creative, artistic and musical, who I’m very proud of. Living meagrely, in a bus, in a shack with no electricity, a tent and a caravan.
Have you been back home recently? Impressions?
I had been home each year until the lockdowns in 2020; I finally got to visit again in October 2022. Whitianga had changed quite a lot! Seeing some of my favourite businesses still in business after a tough few years was heartening. It was awesome to attend 2 of the 3 gyms and experience what they had to offer.
It was wonderful to catch up with friends and family, and the best part of my trip was attending my son Elijah Byles’s wedding to the girl of his dreams, Zoe.
Who are you looking forward to catching up with next time you are home?
My family and friends remain in and out of the area and whoever I have the fortune to run into in the supermarket or gym, as well as my bestie Sandy Mathieu.
What advice would you give younger you?
Make every day count. Be present. Time is the most valuable commodity. Use it wisely.
What is the biggest life lesson so far?
Learning that God is trustworthy. People can let you down, misunderstand you, put their interests above yours, and disappoint you intentionally or unintentionally. But there is someone closer than a friend who cares about your life, your purpose, your reason for being and knows you better than you do – someone who can transform lives and create something beautiful from heartbreak and ruin into a life of worth, value and significance no matter what has happened, can bring a peace that is unexplainable and an unconditional love that cannot be erased. I met this person in life’s shadowy moments and learned through undeniable proof that there is a God and that He is always for me and never against me. This is my biggest life lesson because everything I have become and will become is due to His care and my learning to trust that His vigilance never ebbs.
Brought to you by
Ron Morgan
