Family is everything to Blackcaps all-rounder Daryl Mitchell.
So the decision to shift south from Hamilton to wife Amy's hometown, with their second child on the way, was an easy one.
"It made sense to move down to Christchurch to allow her to be closer to family and friends," he tells Newshub.
The move also happened to spark Mitchell's career to the extent he has claimed NZ Cricket's Domestic Player of the Year award with his new Canterbury team.
He played a key role in their trophy-laden season, helping the Kings to Plunket Shield and Ford Trophy one-day glory, as well runners-up in the Super Smash T20 final.
Mitchell was exceptional, scoring 374 runs in the shortest format, 288 runs in the four-day campaign at an average of 48.73, as well as taking 39 wickets across all three competitions.
"I've been able to contribute to that, which is really cool, and it's nice to be rewarded for that success," he says. "It's recognition of taking a little bit of a risk in taking our family to a new home and a new team."
And family has been there every step of the way.
"It's been nice to see him achieve his dreams and get noticed for it," says Amy.
Mitchell - son of former All Blacks rugby coach John Mitchell - has also converted that domestic success to international performance, with a maiden one-day international hundred and dramatic maiden test century.
"I watched his test hundred from the bathroom floor, while the two little girls were in the bath," says Amy.
The Mitchell family are loving life off the field, but hope there's more to come on it, with his inclusion in the Blackcaps squad to tour England and the chance to play in a World Test Championship final.
"Personally, I feel like I'm in my prime years as a cricket player," he says. "I guess, looking back now, It's pretty special."
Meanwhile, Blackcaps skipper Kane Williamson has taken out his fourth Sir Richard Hadlee Medal as NZ Cricketer of the Year, while all-rounder Amelia Kerr and new batting sensation Devon Conway also starred at the awards.
Williamson finished the summer as the world's No.1 test batsman, accumulating 639 runs in just four innings, with an average of 159 and a top score of 251 against West Indies. He also lead New Zealand to top of the world test rankings, although since supplanted by India, and the upcoming world test final.
Kerr excelled with bat and ball during the White Ferns' T20 wins over Australia in Brisbane and Napier, while averaging 51 runs for Wellington Blaze during the Super Smash competition and taking 14 wickets, including a hat-trick in the final.
After serving an eligibility period, Conway made the most of his NZ call-up, taking out international T20 and one-day awards, with 99 not out against Australia and a maiden century against Bangladesh in those respective formats.
2020/21 NZ Cricket awards
Sir Richard Hadlee Medal: Kane Williamson
Bert Sutcliffe Medal for Outstanding Services to Cricket: Jeff Crowe
International Test Player of the Year: Kane Williamson
International Women’s ODI Player of the Year: Amy Satterthwaite
International Men's ODI Player of the Year: Devon Conway
International Women's T20 Player of the Year: Amelia Kerr
International Men’s T20 Player of the Year: Devon Conway
Women’s Domestic Player of the Year: Frankie Mackay
Men's Domestic Player of the Year: Daryl Mitchell
Women’s Dream11 Super Smash Player of the Year: Amelia Kerr
Men's Dream11 Super Smash Player of the Year: Finn Allen
Redpath Cup for First-Class batting: Kane Williamson
Ruth Martin Cup for women's domestic batting: Kate Ebrahim
Winsor Cup for First-Class bowling: Kyle Jamieson
Phyl Blackler Cup for women’s domestic bowling: Sarah Asmussen
New Zealand Umpire of the Year: Chris Brown
