I have owned Burmese almost my entire life, and exhibited my seal Burmese as a child.  While studying I owned two Burmese and not long after graduating from University and beginning work as a Veterinary Nurse I acquired a Russian Blue, which I exhibited and this led to our first Burmese breeding queen in 2003.

My husband Mushfik and I registered the Cairistona prefix that year, with our first litter of Burmese and Mandalay kittens being born in 2005. 

We continue to breed Burmese and Mandalay, with our Mandalay under the prefix of Mỹ lệ. We have also bred the odd litter of Tonkinese and in 2023 we added Burmillas to our cattery, under the prefix of Platinacatz.

Over the years we have exhibited Burmese, Mandalay and Russian Blue to a high level enjoying many Best in Shows, Supreme Awards, National Awards, along with a Shorthair Supreme Award at the 2019 New Zealand Cat Fancy National Show.

I have a particular interest in genetics and safeguarding the wellbeing of all breeds which includes advocating the use of valuable tools such as health screening and genetic testing. These tools facilitate us to make informed decisions within our breeding programs.  I also hold Low Stress Handling Silver Certification, with education around low stress handling of cats and running shows in a way to facilitate this being something very close to my heart.

In 2015 I qualified as a NZCF Shorthair Judge, gaining my Senior (international) status in 2018, and Supervisor status in 2021.  In 2021 I qualified as a NZCF Longhair Judge, gaining my Senior All Breeds (international) status in 2024.

I’ve been involved since 2003 with Palmerston North cat Club at a number of levels from committee member to President, and almost as long with the Burmese Cat Club of NZ having also been involved at all levels with being the North Island region’s current Chairperson and a Life Member.  In addition, I have previously held roles with NZCF for on their Breed Standards Advisory Council, as Privacy Officer and IT Advisor.  I am presently the NZCF Breed Representative for the Burmese and Burmilla Breed Groups and I am a current NZCF Executive Council member (Portfolio Manager for Information Technology).

In my professional life, I am a Business Analyst working in the area of People and Culture.

I very much look forward to seeing your beautiful cats on the show bench!