Twin Support Jenny - May & Dean's Island Thank You

The family’s home away from home is a slice of paradise.

- Alice O’Connell

Stepping off the plane on her first visit to Rarotonga a few years ago, JennyMay Clarkson knew she had landed somewhere truly special. There was just something about the little island nation that made her unwind and go straight into relaxation mode. On her next visit, to celebrate her 40th birthday, she found a sprawling but simple house to rent with a BBQ, a pool and plenty of beds for family and friends to come visit. Jenny-May truly felt she’d found her home away from home. In the years since, the TVNZ sports presenter has made the trip to the same spot several times over, but she’d never have imagined that in the space of a few short years, she would be able to fill up all those beds with her own family members.

It’s here, in their little beachside hideaway, that the Weekly catches up with the Clarkson family, where they’re staying for a much-needed week of R&R.

Jenny-May (43) is joined by her husband Dean (42), their two-year-old boys Atawhai and Te Manahau, Dean’s daughters Libby-Jane (13) and Leah (10), Dean’s parents Maurice and Jocelyn, her nephew Samuel, family friend Danielle and Jenny-May’s mum Paddy. Unfortunately, her dad Waka couldn’t make it as he stayed behind to look after a sick family member. It’s busy, but for the Clarkson family, it really is a slice of paradise.

“It’s nice to have a break from reality,” smiles Jenny-May. “I love it here so much – we all do. I’d come up here whenever I could, but now we have to plan things a bit more carefully. Now we have a big family, we have to look at these things about a year out and save for it!”

But the family has learnt that it’s essential to take some time out – particularly with such a busy household.