When psychologist Katie-Marie Jervis and her family moved from Tairua to Rarotonga for her work with prisoners on the island, she did not know the challenges they would face. However, the island’s stunning beauty and warm-hearted people are worthwhile memories she and her family will have when her two-year contract ends and they return home.
Katie-Marie, husband Jayden Blomfield and their two children moved to the island last April.
“When we arrived we bought a motorbike with every intention we’d both use it – I would use it for getting to work,” she says. “However, after seeing the high rate of motor vehicle accidents here – significantly higher than in New Zealand – I decided not to ride. Vehicles are much more expensive in Rarotonga, but we purchased a car.”
However, Jayden uses the bike to check the surf, head out for a swim, and pop to the Saturday markets for fresh fruit and vegetables. He also spends time designing edible landscapes for locals, and running school transport.
Katie-Marie’s commute is short, but like most things in Rarotonga, comes with some unpredictability. Her prison role is doing psychological assessments such as risk assessments, pre-sentence reports and fitness to stand trial. The prison muster fluctuates between around 30 and 40 people, the majority being men. It reflects most prison setting, with a mix of violent, sexual, and non-violent offending. Katie-Marie notices the approach to rehabilitation is work – in farming, the piggery and the plantation, this providing their sustenance. Some prisoners make ukeleles.
While the Rarotonga experience is in many ways what she expected, there have been some surprises.
Mum and Kids in Rarotonga
“Communication hasn’t been a major barrier. Most people are bilingual, speaking both English and Cook Islands Māori. In the outer islands, Cook Islands Māori is more commonly the first language, so I’ve used interpreters when working with clients from those areas.”
Housing has been one of the family’s biggest challenges, with three moves in just over a year. There are limited long-term rental options as many properties are used for short-term holiday accommodation. Katie-Marie says it often comes down to informal processes, like posting on Facebook and hoping something becomes available.
“If not, you can find yourself without a place to live. Our first three weeks were in an old restaurant -no hot water, a leaking roof, and open-plan living. However, it sat right on the reef with incredible views. Then we moved into a beautiful beachside home for eight months. Now we’re in another short-term rental.”
A big plus to the family’s experience is the way the children have adapted.
“They’ve settled into school, are learning Cook Islands Te Reo, and are involved in cultural activities. Watching them integrate so naturally has been one of the highlights for us. They’ve embraced the outdoor lifestyle, engaged in school, and spending lots of time outdoors-fishing, swimming, and exploring. It’s a very different but enriching upbringing. We’ve all taken up new hobbies such as lagoon swimming, triathlons, free-driving, surfing and fishing.”
Dengue Fever
A tough and unexpected challenge has been Dengue Fever, a very painful viral infection spread by mosquitoes.
“All four of us contracted Dengue Fever, by far one of the hardest experiences we’ve had. We were all hospitalised for two nights, with two of us requiring IV fluids. It’s an incredibly painful and debilitating illness, and recovery can be prolonged. The hospital system is doing its best, but is under-resourced compared to what we’re used to in New Zealand. That said, we are very grateful for the care we received.”
Island Time
“This is very real. Meetings often start later than scheduled and run longer than expected. It requires a shift in mindset and learning to adapt to a slower pace. Also, living and working in a small community can mean professional and social worlds overlap more closely. And, of course, church is a significant part of island life.”
“Living here is full of contrasts. It’s an island of extreme. There are incredible highs in terms of beauty, culture and connection, alongside real challenges. However, we’ve built strong connections with both locals and expats and enjoy regular social get-togethers. What I miss most is the structure and familiarity of New Zealand, along with our home and community in Tairua.”
Making a difference
One big plus for Katie-Marie is knowing her work is making a positive difference.
“As the only resident psychologist currently working here, there’s a real sense that the work matters – available for whoever needs support makes a difference. My work has contributed to legal decisions and procedural changes in the High Court, as well as improvements in probation practices. I’ve also been able to provide training and introduce more evidence-based approaches.”
“The best moments have been incredible – swimming with turtles, free diving, and experiencing the natural beauty of the lagoon. The hardest moments have been health-related – our son being hospitalised with influenza A, and all of us experiencing Dengue Fever. The biggest benefits are the people, culture, and environment.”
The family look forward to having a “holiday” in Tairua when they return for a month in June.
