What are your family links with Mercury Bay?
My parents, Rob and Debbie Harris, moved to Whitianga in 2001 for my dad’s work with Hopper Construction on the Waterways development. Mum owned and ran Mercury Bay Pharmacy from 2004 to 2017. I grew up in Whiti with my twin sister Ainsley, and our older sisters Carly and Rochelle.
Where are you living now? How long have you been there?
I’m currently living in Los Angeles. I moved to join my partner here just a few weeks before the pandemic hit in March 2020 – definitely an interesting time to relocate overseas! We’ve been based in Venice Beach ever since. I love the feel of Venice – it has a small-town vibe and an eclectic, creative community.
One of my favorite hobbies is cycling down the beach bike path to Manhattan and Hermosa Beach, or up north toward Malibu. Sadly, the northern stretch of the path and nearby hiking trails are still closed after the devastating January wildfires that tore through Pacific Palisades and Malibu. Although we were safely about 14km away, it was frightening, from our neighborhood, to see massive flames engulfing homes and businesses.
When did you live in the Coromandel? Which schools did you attend, and for how long?
I lived in Whiti from age 3 to 17, before moving away for university. I last lived there in 2015, but would still come home each summer after that. These days, I try to visit at least once a year – it’s a bit more of a commute now!
I went to MBAS from Year 1 through Year 13. We had some incredible school trips. One of the highlights was our Year 7 camp to Great Barrier Island. Mr. Morgan coordinated local charter boats and launches to get us there. It’s still a camp we talk about today!
What have you been doing since school?
After a few years working at New World after school and waitressing during summers, I moved to Wellington to study at Victoria University.
I juggled uni with catering jobs – from delivery driver to office assistant to coordinator – and made lifelong friends, great memories, and met my now-partner. I’d return to Whiti in the summers to see family and friends, and work in the kitchen with the amazing crew at Blue Ginger.
After graduating, I stayed in Wellington for another year before moving to the US. I’ve been finding my way and exploring as much of the country as possible. I’ve had all sorts of jobs – waitressing on the Venice Boardwalk, working at a friend’s sourdough bakery, and stints at a few restaurant-tech startups – before landing my current role at Calm, the meditation and sleep app.
Have you been back to the Coromandel recently? Impressions?
Whiti’s definitely grown since I last lived there, but it still feels like home. I admire the energy the next generation of business owners is bringing – it’s awesome to see new places popping up to serve the community.
What are your fondest memories of the Coromandel?
All my childhood memories are tied to growing up in the Coromandel – fishing off the Whitianga wharf, getting ice creams in Kūaotunu, surfcasting at Otama, spending hours skating and biking down School House Lane, and after-school swims at Wharekaho/Simpsons Beach. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to grow up.
Who were some of your friends in those early years?
Grace Balsom, Franci Mathew, Tammy Greig, Marie Everth, Rose and Edward Selby, Andrew and Michael Proctor, Matt & Grace Gordon, Patrick & Steven Ruggle. I’m still in touch with most of my friends 🙂
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