We returned to NZ in 2016 after eight years in Perth and settled in Matangi, just outside Hamilton. We have longed to return to regional New Zealand and will be relocating to be in Taihape over time.

Lavinia (Vinny) Jacobsen is a Taihape local with whakapapa links to Moawhango and Opaea via Ngāti Tamakōpiriand Ngāti Whitikaupeka. She was born and schooled here up to the age of 14, before moving to Paeroa. Over the last seven years she has consistently been in Taihape as the Program Director for the Mokai Patea Treaty  Settlement process for the claims trust. This is one of her contracts as part of our consulting company KTV Ventures. Vinny has held senior leadership roles in sport, retail and tourism and loves a good wine and cheese.

Kelvyn Eglinton was born and bred on a farm in the Manawatu and is the other Director in KTV Ventures (and Vinny’s husband). Kelvyn has a career in strategic management in philanthropy, financial investment, international mining, local government, and sport and sits on a number of boards as a Director. Kelvyn is a broken-down surfer and enjoys the odd whisky. 

We have a son Tai, who is a keen kartsport driver and is at Hillcrest High School in Hamilton. You will probably see him pitching in over holidays. We live with two dogs (Dee Dee and Kasey) and one cat (Tama) and they rule the place