I've never had any alone time with Lopeti. It'll be weird not having a third person there. The quest for love isn't always easy. Finding a groom is worse than looking for a job. But what happens when love comes after marriage... In our tradition, girls never have romance before the marriage. ...and your family has the final say over who you marry? So, before the marriage, will you allow the girl to talk with the boy? I had no idea who she was. I was ready to say no, but when I saw him, I said yes. (CHEERING) Meet the Kiwis who are putting their tradition first and their parents in charge of choosing Mr or Mrs Right. Seriously, I'm so nervous. Copyright Able 2018 15th in line to the Tongan throne, the Honourable Princess Virginia Tuita carries centuries of royal tradition into her wedding rehearsal. My parents were arranged, because in Tonga, you, sort of, arrange marriages for the good of the families. But cos I'm the youngest girl, I always saw myself as remaining single and taking care of them for the rest of my life. So when my parents first started searching for a suitable husband for me, (CHUCKLES) I just, sort of, laughed it off. (TINKLY MUSIC BOX MUSIC) Not wanting their daughter to end up alone, Virginia's parents set about creating a list of the most eligible bachelors in Tonga. My parents wanted me to have that companionship. So, Lopeti was one of the bachelors that my parents had in mind. I would have never married anyone that my parents didn't approve of. We're just very, very happy for Virginia and Lopeti, and we try to be as supportive as most parents would be when their daughter gets married. (GRAND ORCHESTRAL MUSIC) For the Auckland Tongan community, this royal wedding will be one of the most important events of the year. This is the first time for us to hold this one from the royal family. It's very special. There are so many other people far, far more better than me to do this, but they asked me to do this, and then I do. I'm very obedient. The pressure of marrying into royalty is not lost on groom-to-be Lopeti. Very excited. I'm looking forward to Saturday and I just can't, you know, can't wait to get everything out of the way. (CHOIR SINGS HYMN) The wedding will bring to an end a two-year engagement. And only once married will Virginia and Lopeti be permitted to be alone together for the first time. I was nervous at the rehearsal. It sort of dawned on everyone, especially me, that this is the real deal. I was like, 'I'm getting married. 'I'm leaving my parents forever. Oh my gosh.' With the wedding now a week away, Virginia is stepping closer to starting a very different kind of life. This marriage is huge for me. For 30 years of my life, I had people to do things for me, and I don't know anything different. And Lopeti's very independent and he does things for himself, so I want to learn how to do that too. After 20 years in New Zealand, Sikh builder Manpreet is a Kiwi at heart. But he always knew he would have a traditional arranged marriage. Yeah, definitely I would class myself as a Kiwi bachelor. (ALL LAUGH) I know all the slang words, all the swear words too. 'Sup, bro. So, yeah, I've done all sort of things what a normal Kiwi would do before he settles down. (TINKLY MUSIC BOX MUSIC) Six months ago, while visiting family in India, Manpreet could see his days as a single man were fast running out. All my other cousins, they sort of all got married under 25. And I was 27, 'Oh, you are running a bit late.' My family started doing a bit of emotional drama, and I was like, 'Oh, do what you want. 'Just keep me out of it.' His parents employed a matchmaker, and before he knew it the perfect wife was found. They even shared the same name. He then met with Manpreet just three times before becoming engaged. You got a photo of your wahine, brother? Here. Oh, yeah. She's all good. Mean. That's all good, all right. I reckon an arranged marriage is different to going to the pub, getting grogged out of your face, and, 'How are you doing?' (ALL LAUGH) I was speechless when I found out you were doing it. Yeah, I told you, eh. In the van. I was just shocked, eh. 'Really? How could you bring yourself to do that?' To commit to someone you barely even know that's on the other side of the world. Even doing it from someone down the road is quite hard. (LAUGHS) Manpreet honoured the strict protocols of a Sikh engagement... most of the time. You fellas sorted out how many kids youse gonna have? Oh, not yet. Got first kiss to get through first, eh? Oh, haven't had a kiss yet? Uh,... I have... Not on Skype. Uh... Touching lip. Uh,... I don't know what to say about it. Nah, I have. I have. Oh, you have? Yeah, I have. Oh yeah. That's all right, then. Yeah. We went on sort of a secret... not a date, but I`I took her to the movies, so... How was that not a date, mate? Cos we didn't have a, like, proper dinner. Don't have to have dinner for it to be a date, though. Yeah, well... I don't want to call it a date, though. Convincing his betrothed to break with tradition required some delicate negotiating. She was like, 'Oh, I don't know how to get out of the house. I don't know what to say.' I was like, 'You know, just tell your parents you're going for a walk.' So you made her lie to her parents? What's the big deal? (LAUGHS) Before even getting married, eh? Yeah. (LAUGHS) That's a good start (!) I honestly hope it goes good for you. You've already lied once; there's many more to come. (LAUGHS) Uh, we'll see. We'll see. I'm not really that sort of a person who believes in love at first sight, but, yeah. For a person, do you want to marry and you want to spend the rest of your life with, I don't think it works that way. You gotta have` You gotta understand lots of things. You've gotta understand each other. You've gotta share things with each other. Then, only, you can feel that, 'Yeah, she's the one.' Serious about his decision, Manpreet is preparing for marriage by moving in with friend Paddy and his partner, Monica. That's what I wanted to do before I get married. Sort of, trying to get into a rhythm. Because before, I used to live with all boys, and all bachelors, and we used to swear a lot, do stupid things. So I just wanted to... move on,... try to be a bit mature. I'm actually happy that he's doing dishes and the room is clean and he's started behaving. So it's good signs of getting married. Shut up. I don't know how much I have improved, but I have tried, at least. Manpreet is trying hard to change his ways, but is he really ready for an arranged marriage? I've done all the stupid things in my life, so why not settle down, you know? Why not make your parents happy now? Mau tonu e kowhiri. With wedding rehearsals complete, the day of Princess Virginia's arranged marriage is fast approaching. Growing up within the Tongan royal family, Virginia has led a privileged and sheltered life, so has a lot to learn about independence. When I grew up, we always had people to cook, to clean, do our washing... I thought it was important to eventually and finally learn how to cook. I didn't want to, sort of, be a useless wife. (CHUCKLES) Married sister Frederica and her great aunt Hauoli Vi have stepped in to help transform Virginia from royal princess to domestic goddess. Are you ready? Yes. OK, let's do it. (CHUCKLES) Let's start with the onion. OK. So, have you ever chopped an onion before? No. Oh dear. OK. (CHUCKLES) OK. Am I gonna cry? Not yet. So, this is gonna be the very first time you make lu ever? Yes. The very first time I make anything. (GASPS) I had never cooked, because I never had to, and I didn't actually know what to do, like, I didn't know how to cut a tomato or a onion. I'm quite surprised she hasn't peeled an onion now that she's 30, (LAUGHS) but I guess she never got around to it. (LAUGHS) Now you're gonna, like, slice it, but then keep it all together. How do I keep it all together? You turn it around. That way? No. That's the back. What? So, we'll start going like this, you know. Oh. Huh? (LAUGHS) Like that. I don't wanna slice my fingers off. Very good. Why do you want to do the cooking? Well, that's what wives do, don't they? Yes, in a` And I'm gonna be a wife. That is my own belief that she shouldn't be cooking, because she has us, she has our other relatives to help her out, and also her people. So, are you going to do everything else that goes along with being a wife other than cooking ` the washing and everything? Mm-hm. Washing, cleaning, making the bed. I have to learn all those things. It's just hard, isn't it, because we weren't really brought up to do any of these things. No. Even in uni, we weren't allowed to live on our own like normal uni students. We had to stay home. And the pick-up time from uni and schools. Yeah. Even at uni. Our curfew. Our curfew. Maybe in those aspects, I feel unprepared for married life. Normal people usually learn that along the way, you know, eventually. But with me, it's all, like... Yes. ...full on. Which is fine. Like, suddenly, you're expected to know everything and be a good wife and know how to iron. Iron! Have we ironed? No. Have you tried... Foil? Foil. (BOTH LAUGH) Have we tried foil? (LAUGHTER) It's not just domestic chores that will be a new experience for Virginia. In the Tongan culture, you're not supposed to be alone with any male. I've never had any alone time with Lopeti, not yet, just the two of us. We're always chaperoned by at least one person. In a week's time, Virginia will be married and able to spend her first night together with her husband. It'll be weird not having a third person there. OK, so now you're gonna have to stick that on the tray and then put it in the oven. On the tray? On the tray. You just` OK, I'll put it in... No, no, no. ...cos it's hot. Just let her put it in, because she has to learn to cook on her own. But wait, it's hot, so you have to be careful. Careful. OK. Well done. (SIGHS) Well done. You put it in the oven. (LAUGHS) 'Now, sometimes I like to help out, but usually I get stopped. 'Like, she didn't want me to go near the oven cos she was scared I'd get burnt. 'Cooking is actually quite easy. It's not as hard as I thought.' But now we just have to see if it'll taste nice. (CHUCKLES) Lovely. That looks delicious. Hauoli can't sit with us, because she's showing respect by sitting on the floor. When protocol calls, then we must perform our duty, which is on the floor for them. I think it looks edible. You can be honest. I'll try it too. It's delicious. OK. Well done. I was very pleased with the results. I haven't gotten a stomach ache. She didn't burn herself, and I'm still burning myself, so, that's one point towards her. (LAUGHTER) I'm trying to be independent. I still rely on my family for things, but I'm slowly, sort of, letting go of those strings. Sikh bachelor Manpreet is just a month away from travelling to India, where he will marry a woman chosen for him by his parents. So, here are some photos. Here's one of me and Manpreet together. It was our engagement party. It was a bit of an awkward moment because these cameramen, they were, like, hold us together` 'Hold her together, hold her hand,' this and that. 'Dude, this is the first time we're actually this close, so chill out.' (LAUGHS) You know, to do all that, you gotta know the other person first, you know? I didn't really know her. It was a bit awkward, a bit weird. But I just had to do it. Yeah, I think this is one where they were asking me to hold her from the waist. (INHALES) Since their engagement, the couple have been getting to know each other long-distance. (BOTH SPEAK PUNJABI) Once married, Manpreet's wife will move to New Zealand, where the couple will live with flatmates Paddy and Monica. (SPEAKS PUNJABI) (LAUGHS) (MANPREET SPEAKS PUNJABI) I'm talking about the dishes he did and cleaned his room. (LAUGHS) So she's quite impressed now. Manpreet wants his future wife to feel at home, but their lack of time together makes decorating decisions a challenge. Whoa. Do you know what colours she likes or what things she's into? I have no idea, actually. That's why it's 'arranged'. (LAUGHS) Right, it's gonna take time, isn't it? Have you discussed with her how the room's gonna look like... No. ...or how... the lounge? Pink. Pink rooms. (LAUGHS) Pink rooms, purple? Pink bed. (LAUGHS) Well, if she likes pink, then why not? I don't mind anything. I'm half colour-blind anyway. (BOTH LAUGH) I never used to like pink as much, but I think she likes pink. If she wants to buy something pink colour, well, OK, whatever. The hardest part would be leaving her family. She is coming from a joint family, so that kind of make a difference when you're, you know... She's not gonna have anyone to talk to... No more chit-chats. Chit-chats, gossip, you know. No housework. That's what I am afraid of more, that she gonna be feeling sad about, that, you know, there is no one to talk to because everyone is busy in their work. Let's see how it goes. (CHUCKLES) Yeah, getting married and moving here to New Zealand is a pretty big deal. There's gonna be a bit of ups and downs, I think. So I don't know how the thing's gonna work out. Bachelor Manpreet is hours away from travelling to India, where he will have an arranged marriage to a woman he has been alone with just once. These are all the turban ` different colour turbans I'm gonna take. This is my favourite colour. Quite excited about travelling and meeting my relatives, my parents, getting married, getting responsible. It's gonna be one of the biggest weddings of our family, because this is gonna be the last wedding of our family. Time to go. Manpreet is ready for his life-changing journey, but will he return a happily married man? In just four days, 30-year-old Princess Virginia will tie the knot in a traditional Tongan arranged marriage. Oh, how beautiful are these orchids? Really, really beautiful. Helping Virginia to reach the altar is Adrian, her best friend and maid of honour. I was supposed to marry before you. Yeah, you were definitely supposed to get married before me. Cos I never even saw myself getting married. Just work and take care of my parents. Being the youngest girl, um, I always felt that was my duty. To just` The others can go off, and then I was just gonna stay home. So you were just gonna take care of your nieces and nephews? Yup. Be the favourite aunt. Be the favourite auntie. (BOTH LAUGH) Have you felt pressured? Or have, like` Um... Probably pressured to... stick to... tradition. If I was under the pressure that you're under, I would have eloped. (BOTH LAUGH) I would have been right there behind you. No, no, no. Well, that's always an option. Just kidding. Obviously that hasn't read your mind, but was there anything that you would want to change? Um, probably not, because I've seen that keeping to traditions has kept my family happy, and it's made me happy, so... Not being part of the royal family or accustomed to traditional protocol, Adrian was an unusual choice for maid of honour. There is a lot more pressure on Adrian than me. When I first asked her to be my maid of honour, she was scared. She thought some of her family members and other people thought I'd choose someone of status. Myself, as a commoner, it's just a big task and honour and privilege to be her maid of honour. Ever since she asked me last year, I've been really nervous, and the time has come really fast, so, yeah. Really nervous. I think I'm more nervous than the bride. (LAUGHS) In a royal wedding, you have to follow Tongan protocol, otherwise you'll get slapped on the hand. (CHUCKLES) (TINKLY MUSIC BOX MUSIC) It's two days to the royal wedding, and Adrian's ability to handle her duty as maid of honour is already being tested. Adrian got the daunting news that the venue where she was supposed to hold the bridal lunch double-booked. She was under so much stress, and that's when her cousin stepped in and offered her house. So, we rang around some of the top restaurants, and they were all fully booked. So... this was the last option. Last resort, last option. We've organised flowers, organised caterers, organised hireage people... Hosting the Tongan royal family at your home is a real privilege, but comes with huge responsibility. People grow up being told how to act in front of someone of status, and if you do something wrong, you're told off on the spot. And it's quite embarrassing to get told off in public. I'm freaking out. I'm secretly, just, kind of, exploding inside. (LAUGHS) Because, you know, I'm quite the perfectionist. I like to make sure everything is perfect. It's a huge deal. I'm quite honoured, although I could live without it, but I'm quite honoured that it has happened. The role of maid of honour always comes with pressure, but when the bride's a princess, there's an expectation for perfection. Adrian's been under a lot of stress. I've had to hold her together. Especially with the changes last night. She was, yeah, in a bit of a heap. So I just walked her through it slowly and told her that we will be fine and that we can do it. And, um, she's walking around now. She's full of emotions. It is a lot. It is a lot. I don't know how` how she's doing it. It's a lot, you know, to take in. And then having the royal family ` to do this for them and their family. So she's just hoping that it's good enough. (STRING QUARTET MUSIC) The guests of honour arrive. But will Adrian's last-minute change of plans be good enough for the royal family? Last night was a really rough night, just thinking of the outcome of it. I actually had less than 24 hours to turn a living room and dining room into a luncheon fit for a princess. I hope I've delivered what she's expected of a maid of honour. Oh, she's just, like, gone over and above everything. It's gorgeous here. It's so stunning. So pretty, and everyone is beautiful. It feels like a mini wedding. It's beautiful. Thank you. Thank you, maid of honour. (LAUGHS) Relax. Have some champagne. Relax! (LAUGHS) De-stress. The fairy-tale wedding is back on track. The focus is now on the bride, and Virginia has a lot to live up to. She does demonstrate a true Tongan ` being ladylike, not that everyone else is different, but that's what's the expectation from the country is all about, you know, from Tonga. And humble. A modern royal bride, she is well-educated. She doesn't come across as stuck up, hoity-toity. No. Very humble. She's just very humble. She greets everybody as if she is your friend ` your best friend. But what do the ladies think of the lucky man? Through his chivalry in the way he went through protocol, I think that's how he captured her heart. He had a million-dollar smile. That sealed the deal. (TONGAN MUSIC) I was very pleased and very happy. Now that everyone's having fun, I'm very pleased. And it's been a success. Celebrations are in full swing. Lopeti's mother, Mele Simiki Aleamotu'a, dances in honour of her daughter-to-be. In the Tongan custom, when we have entertainment, which is usually tau'olunga, and there's other sort of Tongan dances, you show your appreciation for the entertainment by putting money on them. (CHEERING) It turned out really great. Everyone had a wonderful time. It was nice to have that personal talks with each other without having formalities around us. (TINKLY MUSIC BOX MUSIC) (INDIAN MUSIC) In Jalandhar in India, Manpreet's wedding day has arrived. His journey from single man to respectable husband will soon be complete. It's a big day for both of the families, but I was, like, so busy I didn't really have time to get excited. The main goal was to get ready on time and get everyone else ready, and, uh, do the turbans, you know, find our jackets, this and that. On a wedding day, the guy is considered to be as a king, so that's why they wear the outfits the kings used to wear. (LIVELY DRUMMING, SINGING) In this traditional Sikh wedding, the Kiwi groom wanted a modern touch. In the traditional way, guys go to the temple or the gurdwara on a horse. I didn't wanna do that because I wasn't quite comfortable with it. My dad was like, 'How about a Jeep?' My cousins were like, 'Yup, that's a mean idea. We should do it.' (LIVELY DRUMMING CONTINUES) The time we were travelling there, it was a bit nervous because everyone was, like, looking at you. At the temple, the formalities begin. But Manpreet can only catch a glimpse of his bride. I wanted to look at Manpreet, but I wasn't quite sure, because I knew that everyone else was looking at me, so I shouldn't be acting like, 'Hey, what's up?' So I was just looking down, and she sat down right next to me. Then after a while, I had a cheeky look at her. 'Oh, yup, she is looking pretty.' (LAUGHS) (SITAR MUSIC) After circling the Sikh holy book four times, the couple are officially recognised as husband and wife. But a kiss to seal the deal will have to wait. The priest, they do say, 'Now I announce you guys husband and wife.' But no, they won't say that you can kriss the bride` kiss. (UPBEAT INDIAN MUSIC) The lavish reception begins, but for the newlyweds there's little time to relax. I was kind of getting annoyed with the cameras. Lots of photos were being taken of us, like, everyone wanted to take a photo with us. You can't smile for that long, you know? After a while, our faces were like, numb. We were giving our fake smiles. It's the end of the reception. The bride must officially say goodbye to her family, to become a wife and daughter in Manpreet's. Manpreet gonna be living without her family. I'm a little worried, but I'm pretty sure she's gonna handle it, cos, um, I'll be there to look after her, and, hey, New Zealand's a beautiful country and who wouldn't want to live there? I can't wait for Manpreet to go back to New Zealand with me and we start off a new life. It's gonna be different, and I'm quite excited about it. It's been three months since Manpreet's arranged wedding. He's returned from India a happily married man full of plans for the future. I wanna buy land and build my own house one day. I have no idea when, but we'll do it sooner or later. Really looking forward for her to come back here so that we can start a new life over here. But starting their life together in New Zealand will have to wait a little longer. Um, well, her arrival's gonna be a bit delayed, because my... my mum and grandma is not feeling very well. Grandma was in hospital, so she's looking after them. We kinda had a discussion about it, and she was like, 'No, I can always stay here and I can look after the mum and grandma.' Manpreet will be staying in India for another few months. It's` It's a bit hard to... live by yourself even after you get married. We've been Skyping each other. We've been talking to each other pretty much every day. (BOTH SPEAK PUNJABI) She's saying that when you were there, they all were having a good time, but now you are not there they all are missing me. So it's not they're not, so, yeah. (SPEAKS PUNJABI) (CHUCKLES) I'm very proud that I've got a nice wife and I've got a nice family, and they all are living happily with each other too. OK, bye. Bye. While Manpreet is uncertain when his wife will be able to join him, there's always a silver lining. (SIGHS) Oh well, at least I don't have to tidy up the house for a little while. (EXHALES) (TINKLY MUSIC BOX MUSIC) It's the morning of Princess Virginia's wedding. With 10 bridesmaids to dress and make up, the pressure is on to be ready in time for the royal wedding in three hours. I don't know who's more nervous, the bride or myself. (LAUGHS) But I'm ready, and I can't wait to see her. Anything can happen today. (LAUGHS) It's the day, no matter how much you've planned for certain things, everything, you know, doesn't happen exactly the way you plan. Hurry up, please. We have to go get the bride. (ALL LAUGH) Auntie Tellich has arrived. This will be the biggest Tongan wedding ever held in New Zealand, and everyone needs to look perfect. But Virginia's taken a gamble, allowing her bridesmaids to design their own dresses. Oh, they look beautiful. They all look like pretty dolls. (CHUCKLES) Hey, we're not at a funeral. We're at a wedding. (LAUGHS) I don't think I've slept this whole week. (CHUCKLES) I've tried, but I can't really sleep. I'm just gonna laugh the whole day, that's all I want. No worries. So this is, uh, 24-carat gold, so it's my` Oh my gosh. Gold? Yes, gold. On my face? (LAUGHS) Fit for a queen. As the princess starts to relax, her prince isn't finding it so easy. I know he was stressed, cos we were texting this morning. So I called him. He was sort of stressing out a bit. I just told him to relax and enjoy the day. There's, like, no time for stress any more. Just leave that for yesterday and the weeks before that. (CHUCKLES) So hopefully he's calmed down. (GRAND ORCHESTRAL MUSIC) At the church, family and community are frantically preparing for the arrival of the bride. Both our maternal families had to wear the big mats, cos that's to signify who we can sort of get to do our run-arounds. If we need anything, they'll have to go get it. So it's part of the ceremonial traditions. I'm not worried. We've planned this wedding for a long time. I'm pretty sure Lopeti's ready to receive Honourable Moheofo as Mrs Aleamotu'a. Most of all, I'm happy that families are here to witness their nephew, their grandson, my son marrying into the royal family. (DELICATE PIANO MUSIC) The groom is in place. The guests are ready. All that's missing is the bride. Where is she? Enjoy endless data on your favourite social apps with Vodafone Social Pass, and get free social data for 90 days when you switch to Vodafone. Today is the day Virginia and naval officer Lopeti become husband and wife in a traditional Tongan arranged marriage. While the groom is all ready to go, it appears the most important person is running fashionably late. Where is she? We ran behind schedule, like, by a lot. (LAUGHS) She's always late to things. Out of the four girls and my son, she's always late. It's a bad, bad habit, which I hope you'll get over soon. (LAUGHS) Even being born, I was late. Yes, that's right. I've been late since I was born. (ALL LAUGH) Someone just sent a picture of them standing at the` They're all waiting now. Ohh. Send him a message saying, 'Here I am having my hair done.' (ALL LAUGH) And I sort of thought, 'Well, brides are supposed to be late.' But I know not that late. And I kind of felt bad. But then, you know, I couldn't help it. (CHUCKLES) Virginia, I'm going to put the veil on now. This is just a family tradition. As I have four girls, I have put on, placed the veil for them... each time. This'll be the last time, for she's the last daughter. (LAUGHS) My mum, she can do anything. She's so understanding. She makes sure that all of us kids know our place and do our duties, and that we're comfortable with who we are and what choices we make. To me, she's perfect. My mum is just... OK, I'm getting emotional. (SIGHS) I can't talk. OK, dear. Gloves. Look fantabulous. Finally, the bride is ready. But the groom may need to wait a little longer. So, we just got lost getting there (LAUGHS) for about 45 minutes. (SLOW HORN MUSIC) So I was just, you know, enjoying the tiki tour, but my maid of honour, Adrian, she was getting stressed out. (ETHEREAL CHORAL SINGING) With her father by her side, Virginia takes her final steps towards marriage. It hit me when my dad was walking me down the aisle. It wasn't until, sort of, the middle, where I sort of looked down and I was looking at my dad's feet. And so that's when it dawned upon me. And I didn't want to get emotional, so I just looked down. And then, I sort of quickly looked up and saw Lopeti standing there. And then I sort of giggled to myself. I knew what he was thinking. He was probably like, 'Finally.' (CHUCKLES) A proud Lord Tuita gives his blessing by giving his daughter's hand to Lopeti. My wedding day was definitely just amazing. It was more than I expected. And just seeing everyone so happy, it was really lovely. (MINISTER SPEAKS TONGAN) You hardly see Tongan weddings where the bride and groom will actually, you know, kiss each other on the lips in front of everyone like that. (UPBEAT PACIFIC MUSIC) Today is the start of a new and biggest chapter of my life, and Lopeti's life. At the end of the night, I didn't want it to end. I wanted it to keep going. And I was sort of just standing back and asking, 'Oh, it's finished? Everything's finished.' All this stress leading up to the day and then it goes by like that. (CLICKS FINGERS) When we get back to Tonga and we move into his house, it's just weird, like, having to share everything. And I'm gonna have to live with my husband, and we have to get to know each other and all that. There is a bit of pressure to have kids, cos, you know, now that we're married, we have, you know, certain family members saying, like, 'OK, Lopeti. Next year. 'We need the first child next year.' We're like, 'OK. No pressure (!)' (CHUCKLES) For the last six months, Manpreet has been living apart from his wife, who has been in India caring for sick family. But finally, she has arrived in New Zealand to start her new life, and Manpreet is showing all the signs of being a good husband. It's been three months now since she's moved to New Zealand, and we have got our own little flat now, so it's going great. Trying to help my wife out. Try to do it whenever I can and whenever I'm free. But I haven't been doing much. She's a great wife. She looks after me so nice. (SPEAKS PUNJABI) The time Manpreet spent looking after her husband's sick mother and grandmother has only strengthened the marriage. I wanted her to spend a bit of time with my family so that she... she came to know them. It's a marriage of both of the families, and it's really important that both families get along with each other and they understand each other. And I think we did pretty well. My whole family ` my mum, dad, grandmother ` they all cried a lot when she came here. Uh, I was quite excited. So, it was good seeing her after a long time. It did actually feel like it was forever. Life's a bit different than what it was before. Now I have a family, I'm more responsible, I guess. (SPEAKS PUNJABI) He's a great person. He's a great husband. We're going out for a movie date tonight. I've been taking her out to Auckland, to Tauranga,... Napier, Hastings, Raglan. In an arranged marriage, you didn't know that person before, and you've got to express your feelings, and you've gotta do these sort of romantic things quite often. The couple are enjoying the romance of a new relationship. But has Manpreet also fallen for New Zealand? (MANPREET SPEAKS PUNJABI) The plan is first of all to find her a job so that we can both earn and start saving a bit of money, and so we can buy a small land one day. So that I can build my own house. In my case, arranged marriage has suited me quite well. The bonding gets stronger and stronger day by day. This arranged marriage, it has actually brought me back to my family, because she has a very strong bond with my parents, which is great. Which feels good. (SPEAKS PUNJABI) I'm very happiest woman in the world that he is my husband. (LAUGHS) I think it's great, because now we're married, we don't have to sneak out any more, and we are a well-certified couple. (LAUGHS) (SPEAKS PUNJABI) Definitely has fallen in love with each other, and we know we have been made for each other. Oh. (BOTH LAUGH) Captions by Amelia Rushbrook. Edited by Tracey Dawson. www.able.co.nz Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. Copyright Able 2018 Made with the support of New Zealand on Air.