Style: December 10, 2021

20 Style | Feature
ife is bigger than what our occupations are,” says
“LLynette as we sit in the bustling office that houses
50 real estate consultants in Papanui, Christchurch. She
and her husband John have owned the Harcourts Gold
franchise since its inception in 1998 and, at times, it
has felt like her whole world. But she’s at a place in her
life where meaning comes from deep connections, in
business and beyond.
“In our Covid-constant world, I’ve noticed people are
thinking is this what I want to do? Is this enough? Does it
make me feel good? And that’s fair enough.”
Lynette hasn’t been immune to the psychological
effects of this unprecedented period. After the ‘bottomfalling-out’
feel of real estate during part of 2020,
followed by this year’s meteoric rise, the businesswoman
knows better than most the scenarios that wake you in
the early hours.
“I struggled with the challenges of Covid. I was so
stressed about how the hell it would all turn out. We
didn’t realise we’d have this monumental market shift
– initially, I just saw pain and loss.
“It introduced uncertainty, and that affects the way
everybody reacts under stress. As a leader, that places
additional weight on your shoulders,” she explains.
Lynette’s whole family came to stay with the couple
during the first lockdown in 2020.
“My dad would get up and just sit with me when I
was up at 3am! Just so I’d feel that comfort – he didn’t
talk or know the slightest bit about business, but it really
helped me while I worked.”
To be at the top of one’s game in a very competitive
industry takes a lot (theirs was named top international
office in the 2020 Harcourts International Awards).
Unsurprisingly then, when Lynette needed to lighten her
physical and emotional load, she turned first to family.
THE COMFORT OF WHĀNAU
Luckily, Lynette has a strong and deeply connected
family unit that includes John and her two sons, Harry
(29) and Louis (22), as well as her mum and dad, sister
Elise and two nieces.
When Lynette reached out to her parents near the
end of last year, they immediately answered the call.
“I asked my folks if they would come home for a
couple of nights a week, to bring their gorgeous family
ethos with them. They didn’t ask why, they just asked
when. They’re totally selfless – that’s the example that
we’ve been set.”
So, mum Ev cooked the family a meal two nights a
week, and dad Gary could be found watching re-runs
of the Warriors at their place. “It’s the joy of knowing
you’re coming home to a family and there’s nothing
expected of you.”
This conscious way of living echoes the Māori
tradition of multiple generations residing together.
“We built our home so it’s inter-generational, because
ABOVE: Over the last year, the McFaddens and wider family have come together every week at Lynette and John’s home,
which was designed to be inter-generational.