The perfect place
for a better work-life balance
Arriving at the Johnstons' place is like visiting friends. It's a little chaotic - with Kathy answering the door whilst simultaneously pacifying the family terrier and talking on the telephone - but I'm ushered inside with great arm swings of welcome. This is a couple who are passionate about people...and passionate about where they live and work.
Mention Taupo further afield, and, almost invariably, someone will say the word, 'replete' - not least because Replete was one of the first cafes in town which departed from the lamington-tearoom-formica formula. The doors opened 13 years ago after the Johnstons spotted a gap in the market. 'No one even knew what an espresso was back then,' laughs Kathy.
At the time, they were also considering living in about five other possible locations, but Taupo outdoor lifestyle won them over. 'Everything is just so accessible here. You can look up at the mountain in the morning and go skiing for the day - and we're within a stone's throw of the river. If the lake's too windy, we'll head up to Orakei Korako, just 20 minutes away, and water-ski there. It's all so easy to get to.' 
Chris is still very hands-on at Replete, but also busy with their two latest food ventures: Plateau, a Monteiths concept restaurant and bar, and a catering company, Eat Catering. 'We wanted a contemporary place with great ambience and food, where people like us could actually hear each other talk.' kathy helped create the look and feel of the establishment. In her spare time she 'dabbles' in landscaping and interior-design.
Walking through their luscious, woodlands-style garden, it would appear she does more than just dabble. Extensive planting means the five-level 70s house feels surrounded by bush, belying the fact they live in the heart of town. And the outdoors sculptures dotted here and there add both intrique and a feeling of belonging.
Indoors, too, art is everywhere - a passion which has seen their private collection grow over the years. Kathy's favourite piece is a painting by Kiwi artist Andrew McLeod which hangs in the entranceway; Chris is particularly fond of a sculpture selection by Ronnie Van Hout.
Kathy has only recently stepped down from being chair of the Lake Taupo Arts Festival, a role she says took tremendous time and energy. She now has more time for family and the outdoors. Along with their two boys, Oliver 11, and eight-year-old Thomas, they have just returned from a mountain-bike trip along the Waihaha Track in Taupo's Western Bays area. 'We stayed overnight in a bush hut, no electricity, and both boys were tackling grade four mountain bike tracks. They came back just buzzing.'
Kathy says encouraging the children in outdoor pursuits is important to them - and one of the big reasons they love taupo. 'We believe that if you keep kids busy and into the outdoors, they won't be so quick to get into trouble. Taupo makes it easy. Friends who come from bigger cities marvel at how easy it is to do things. A swimming lesson in Auckland can be a time-consuming affair, but ten minutes from home here and you are literally in the pool.'
In the 14 years they have lived in taupo, the town has grown tremendously. The food industry has mushroomed, tourism has rocketed, and the town exudes a fresh, mountain-air kind of buzz. Its success made it a relatively wealthy town with surprisingly good facilities, says Kathy.
'For a regional population of 32,000 or so, we have few of the problems other small places experience and a whole host of facilities. How many towns this size have a hockey turf? Not to mention a world-famous lodge and three golf courses, one of which is international.'
Work-life balance? 'Certainly we're busy, with the business and the kids, and sometimes it's stressful. But look out the window. Life here is rich. I think we've got it about right.'