Tim Popham, a geologist for a mining exploration company in the Solomon Islands, regards his current contract as short-term pain for long-term gain.
For almost a month, the 34-year-old leaves his Japanese wife, Miwa, and their 3-year-old daughter in Warrington and heads to the jungle, where he washes in rivers and eats rice and canned tuna day after day.
"I guess the main difference from what I do compared to other `commuters' is that I do live pretty roughly. I'm just about to go and sleep in the jungle for two weeks.
"We just want to be debt-free.
We aren't buying flash new toys; we are living within our means and should be mortgage-free within a year.
"It was a two-year plan to be mortgage-free; that's pretty hard to do in New Zealand.
"For me, it is very lucrative. I tripled my income coming here.
I earn $NZ250,000 gross per year. However, that looks much bigger than it is, because we pay a lot of tax over here, as well as superannuation in the Solomon Islands.
"Still, it is very good money.
Part of the reason for that is they just can't get people to work here.
"We have a pretty good team over here. There are three Kiwis, a few Indonesians and the rest are locals. But when I go into the bush, I'll be the only expat. I'll typically have 12 to 14 local guys with me, although this year I have had up to 50 locals.
"Even though you're surrounded by people, it can be quite lonely. Though I understand pidgin English, they will often speak in a local dialect. But I just get in and play their games and have a pretty good time.
"Professionally, it opens up a plethora of doorways, though not back in New Zealand.
Geology is about seeing as many rocks as you can, so the broader the experience you have, the better.
"The money is obviously an important aspect, but I also get more time with my family.
Previously, I was working for Macraes and the work-life balance then was, to my mind, worse than doing fly-in, fly-out.
It is hard being away; it is a balancing act, but it is nice having two weeks at home."
Mr Popham stays in touch with his family via a combination of a satellite-based internet service, a satellite phone and, when available, a mobile phone.
"It's not ideal, but I do use the phone to get in touch a few times a week. I'll have a quick chat with my wife and remind my daughter she has a father."
Though he has had to deal with "quite a few nasty tropical diseases", Mr Popham says it is the difference in climate between home and workplace that often provides the toughest adjustment.
"It's a bit hard coming back to a Dunedin winter from the tropics. You get used to the heat, but coming back to snow at sea level is a bit tough.
"Last time I was back in Dunedin, I went surfing with friends off Karitane. I was freezing but you get in and do these things."
