Cathy achieves great work/life balance

Rotorua's Cathy Hargreaves could be the face of a campaign promoting what constitutes a good work/life balance.
We turn up at her workplace of 32 years and she seems content. She is chatty, smiling and takes an interest in us. She takes us to a spot outside her office and introduces us to her four-legged friend, Chard.
Cathy takes her 12-year-old Hungarian vizsla huntaway cross to work with her every day.
Chard, short for Chardonnay, ensures that her owner takes at least one good break a day and Cathy says that helps her achieve a good work/life balance. Cathy has been taking a dog to work every day since she started at Scion 32 years ago.
Her job involves writing reports, comparing research and leading a small team of people.
Being able to take her dog for a walk at different times of the day helps her clear her head. She takes Chard for at least two walks daily, ranging from 15 minutes to an hour and once a week, they head off on a longer walk.
"The dog provides that break between my work and home life."
Having a supportive partner, a "fantastic and outstandingly compassionate" employer who allows her to work flexible hours also helps her achieve a balanced lifestyle.
For her, having a good work/life balance is about enjoying her job and her "other life" equally.
Cathy works a 40-hour week between 8am and 6pm and works from home one to two days a fortnight.
Her partner, who is a retired scientist, is very supportive.
She says it must be hard to achieve a good work/life balance if a couple both have really intense careers.
Each Thursday night she learns German. "It adds enjoyment and value to my life being able to speak another language."
Cathy has been able to combine two of her interests with her work life - cooking and travel.
She often cooks for new staff or visitors to Scion. She has also travelled around the world and has been able to tag on some holidays while staying in various places.
She gets four weeks' holiday, thinks people should take regular breaks and doesn't think much of the new law allowing employers to give staff the option of cashing in up to a week of leave.
"I think people should take their leave for a good work/life balance. You come back to work energised. "
And her advice to others on how to achieve a good work/life balance?
"I tell people it's really important to work hard and play hard - do both passionately."