Kirsty Williams might be used to "running the show" at home but it still took her and husband Paul a long time to decide whether a fly-in, fly-out job would suit their family.
Because of the nature of Mr Williams' previous job as a helicopter pilot involved in agricultural spraying, the couple realised he wouldn't get much time with their three young children.
Now, in his new role as a helicopter pilot flying 28-day rotations in Papua New Guinea, Mr Williams effectively has five months of the year available to share the parental load with his wife.
"We definitely made the decision together," Mrs Williams says.
"We weighed the pros and cons and thought there were more pros to the fly-in, fly-out arrangement.
"We thought it might be difficult but I have effectively run the show when he was doing his previous job. I'm so used to handling the day-to-day stuff myself ... and we are very fortunate to have supportive family in Dunedin. If we didn't have any family in Dunedin we might have thought twice about it.
"I think it will be another couple of tours before we really get a feel for it. Since he's been home this time, he has done so much. It feels like he's been home a really long time - and I don't mean that in a negative way.
"We've been out for breakfast, brunch, dinner, the movies; we've socialised with other families ... it has already been good," Mrs Williams says.
"To be honest, I'm a bit nervous to see how it will work out.
"I think most people feel that way when they make such a big change to their lifestyle.
"I do know other people who have had touring partners - not necessarily in helicopters - and I think they've found the added involvement with the family when dad's around balances out the time that he's away. Hopefully, we'll find it the same.
"We are already planning family holidays, whereas before we couldn't do that. We now know when we can see family out of Dunedin or arrange ski holidays together."
