Giving us a peek inside their Fijian escape, the newlywed TV star and rugby referee muse on what married life looks like. Photo / Woman's Day
Giving us a peek inside their Fijian escape, the newlywed TV star and rugby referee muse on what married life looks like. Photo / Woman's Day
When you’re as loved-up as newlyweds Wilhelmina and Ben O’Keeffe, every day feels like a honeymoon, but hiding away on a luxurious, remote Fijian island definitely ramps up the romance levels!
Inviting Woman’s Day for a sneaky peek inside their incredible post-wedding escape, the pair says their stay at YasawaIsland Resort & Spa was just the ticket to unwind and reflect on an amazing 2025.
But in true Wilhelmina and Ben fashion, that doesn’t mean this year will be any less hectic than the last!
“We only really operate at one pace – and that’s full steam ahead!” says former Newshub and Today FM presenter Wilhelmina (née Shrimpton), 35. “We spent the last year in anticipation of the wedding, and we were living in the future a little bit with all the planning and trying to look into a crystal ball. Now we’re living in the present and there’s something so comforting in that.”
New Zealand’s most experienced rugby referee, Ben, 37, adds, “The big day is out of the way, so now we just get to be together and do everything else we want to do, which I’m sure will be controlled chaos!”
The couple tied the knot in Queenstown last month. Photo / Jonny Scott Photography
It’s a good thing then the couple – who tied the knot in a star-studded, wildly romantic ceremony in Queenstown last month – managed to escape for a few days of rest and relaxation in Fiji. Well, as much as “active relaxer” Wilhelmina could manage!
“I’m not very good at it, but it was amazing,” she laughs. “When you remove everything that could stimulate your brain, and just have gorgeous blue water and glorious tropical bush around you, it does make it easier.”
Ben reflects, “It was so nice to have the time with just the two of us and practise being a married couple!”
Wilhelmina and Ben during their honeymoon. Photo / Woman's Day
The pair managed to fulfil Ben’s dream of a Fijian fishing trip, but otherwise they were content to swim, lounge and relax, simply enjoying the first few weeks of marriage. Well, until Ben realised he had a fitness test scheduled for five days after the honeymoon, so they had to squeeze in a few beach runs.
“Rough, eh?” he grins. “It was pretty hard to do the fitness work in Fiji, but what a backdrop!”
The new Mr and Mrs O’Keeffe were upgraded to the resort’s honeymoon suite, complete with a private pool.
Wilhelmina and Ben are firmly looking forward to another jam-packed year. Photo / Woman's Day
Wilhelmina says, “We were absolutely stoked – we just spent two days in the water, looking out at the ocean. It was pretty special. I’d only been to Nadi in Fiji before, so heading out to the islands on a tiny plane was incredible.”
Now back home in Auckland, Wilhelmina and Ben are firmly looking forward to another jam-packed year. Ben’s rugby commitments are about to kick off, alongside his work as a musculoskeletal registrar, while Wilhelmina heads into her third year as her own boss, with podcast, PR, MC and journalism commitments already filling the calendar.
Wilhelmina and Ben in Fiji. Photo / Woman's Day
“We’re going to be busy, but that’s how we like it,” tells Ben.
Wilhelmina shares, “This is probably my first summer where I haven’t felt any anxiety around work. I’ve managed to keep some great momentum going, which is a relief when you run your own business!
“It’s a nice feeling not being worried about what might be around the corner, so it’s great to hit the ground running. It’ll be hard to top 2025, but let’s see what 2026 brings!”
