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Honesty, respect and consistent enthusiasm for what each other is doing in life are the foundations of their successful long-standing relationship, say Rhys and Tarsh Burton.
The Howick couple’s been together since their high school years at Macleans College.
“After 23 years of marriage, we’ve learnt to be very honest with each other and have instilled this in our adult kids,” say Rhys and Tarsh.
“The key success in our view is never going to sleep on a disagreement. Take the time to work it out and start fresh the next day.
“We’ve also been known to throw and enjoy a good party to celebrate life milestones. Having regular date nights also keep your bonds strong.”
Rhys says: “As quite different people, we’ve worked together to give each other the freedom to achieve our goals in life but find ways we can participate in each other’s interests.
“I love the ocean, the forest and the New Zealand back country, and Tarsh enjoys the comfort of a hotel suite in fluffy robes.
“This never stopped us enjoying each other’s company. I’m quick to rush in and Tarsh is far more considered in her decision making, which has helped to forge forward in life, but avoid a few poor decisions through being too quick to jump.”
Tarsh had attended Mellons Bay Primary, and he’d been a Bucklands Beach Primary student.
“Tarsh and I met at high school when we were placed in the same form class at Macleans College in 1992.”
Rhys is a fourth-generation Howickian and Tarsh’s parents immigrated from Suffolk in England in 1978, settling in Howick.
“We became friends and while attending a gathering during the Christmas holidays at the end of third form we were dared to kiss while playing spin the bottle,” says Rhys.
“There must have been a spark there as we were boyfriend and girlfriend officially on February 2, 1993, as we returned to school.
“Surviving our teenage years with many good friends and the usual challenges of that age we stayed very close through school, post-school when I started my electrical apprenticeship and Tarsh trained as a florist, and after I had qualified Tarsh joined her family bed manufacturing business in the office.
“I was keen to travel and Tarsh was happy in New Zealand, so we made the call to put the OE plans on hold and instead go flatting at 21 and then married in 2002 at the age of 23 celebrating with our close friends and family at Waipuna Hotel on a beautiful summer’s day on the 02/02/02 at 2pm,” says Rhys.
The couple then travelled to meet Tarsh’s family in the UK and once returned to New Zealand they bought their first house in Burswood.
“Along came [children] Jack in 2005, then Ella in 2008. Schools became important as Jack neared primary age, so we moved back into Howick and were lucky to have our kids follow our footsteps into Mellons Bay Primary, BBI and Macleans College,” says Rhys.
“We’ve been very fortunate to grow a group of likeminded friends that share our family values and like to work hard and play hard.
“This created a support network to assist with the challenges of raising a family and when the workday doesn’t quite go your way.
“If anyone would have said we would have spent our lives together after joining together at 14 years of age, we would have said they were crazy,” Rhys and Tarsh say.
“But here we are, still in the heart of Howick and looking forward to seeing where the next part of our journey takes us.”
