Photography by Sacha Kahaki. Hair & Make-up: Suzie Rutz.
Most of Lisette Reymer’s young nieces and nephews aren’t that interested in hearing her gripping work stories, from reporting on war-torn refugees, royalty or Kiwi athletes on the world stage. They’re far more curious about her love life. As seven of them – “only half the tribe” – energetically pile onto their jet-lagged aunty at their grandparents’ farm in Cambridge for our photoshoot, four-year-old Anneke questions Lisette’s relationship status.
“She started saying to me, ‘It’s so lovely that you are moving home today!’ Before listing off everyone’s age there and asking, “And you are…?” I said, “I’m 30,” shares the former Newshub Europe correspondent.
“Anneke replied, ‘Well, my mum’s 35, so we’re going to find you a husband. And we’re just going to give him to you!’” she laughs. “My only comeback was, ‘Wow, that’s very generous!’ Another niece asked my sister Anna if I had any potential ‘maybes’ lined up.
“I think one of my sisters had jokingly said to them, ‘Lisette might go back to London if she can’t find a husband.’ So my nieces have made it their personal mission to find me one so I stay… I’m happy to try!”
Back on home soil after her four-year stint based in London, Lisette has now joined Stuff as senior journalist for international and national affairs, bringing her extensive experience to ThreeNews.
Since finding out Newshub was closing in February, the intrepid reporter explored possible options overseas, but decided it was time to return to New Zealand and put down roots. She left London in August – to cover the America’s Cup in Barcelona – but understandably, has left a little bit of her heart behind.
“I never realised how much this grand OE to tell some stories would change my own,” shares Lisette, who won Best Coverage of a Major News Event and Best Reporter for her reporting from Ukraine.
“The girl who left four years ago to, unknowingly, become a war correspondent has grown in so many ways. For one, I’m so much better at dealing with stress. I remember my first ever rugby tour with the All Blacks. The game would finish and I’d be so panicked to get the story to air. Now I look back and those stories were probably the easiest ones! I used to love routine, but I haven’t had one in so long. My life is chaos all the time!”
In every war zone, Lisette has worn a gold peace necklace with a dove on it, like a talisman around her neck. But she hasn’t been one for worrying whether she’ll be safe. Instead, she launches in with a can-do attitude and gives it her best shot.
Pulling out her well-worn passport to show us (it now only has two blank pages left), Lisette reflects on the whirlwind of stories from each country. It’s the humanitarian ones from Ukraine that she’s proudest of.
“I think about people I’ve interviewed there often,” she says. “There was a guy we met in the catacombs [a labyrinth-like network of tunnels] located under the city of Odessa. He was preparing this lilo bed for his wife, who was nine months’ pregnant. They weren’t going to go to a hospital. He just had water and medicine there ready for her as they prepared to have this baby underground.
“When I asked why she didn’t just leave – because she could – her husband said, ‘Then she’d be on her own in a foreign country with a newborn. At least if she’s here, we’re all together.’ What an impossible choice. I hope they’re okay and all together still.”
In her new role, Lisette is still prepared to be deployed to places around the world at a moment’s notice.
“But because of who I am, I’m always going to be overly-committed and passionate about work,” she admits. “I’m happy to be home, though, to decompress a bit. I need to work out how burnt-out I am and prioritise other things. Like maybe trying to buy a house and definitely reconnecting with my family and friends.
“I actually feel like I’m really hitting my stride as an aunty too. All the kids are kind of old enough to get it that I’m actually cool,” she quips with a laugh.
“It’s my first Christmas home in three years. So it’s special for my parents to have all five kids home together.” Has she finally retired her loyal travel companion – the suitcase that carried her body armor?
“Samsonite’s warranty team could never have imagined half of what I’ve put it through! Now, it’s noisy and rattles along. While waiting in the airport lounge to head home, I told the cameraman I felt like all the other suitcases were just sitting there, judging it!”
“She wanted to say, ‘You don’t know what this suitcase has been through!’ But she’s a trooper. And let me tell you, she’s been through a lot!”
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