Originally published by Sophie Neville for Woman’s Weekly, December 4, 2025
As a talkback radio host, Newstalk ZB presenter Tyler Adams is no stranger to helping others share their stories. But now it’s his turn. Alongside his partner Maeve Platts, he’s opening up about their emotional experience with fertility struggles and endometriosis. It’s a topic many men shy away from, but Tyler, 39, is determined to help spread awareness of the debilitating condition that continues to impact his and Maeve’s lives.
“We wanted to talk about it because it’s such a misunderstood and under-diagnosed thing, yet so many women are going through it,” says Tyler, who hosts the Newstalk ZB Afternoon Show with Matt Heath.
“Maeve’s been through so much. I’ve just got so much respect for her. She’s amazing.”
The couple, who moved from Canterbury to Auckland last year, met a decade ago in a Christchurch bar and clicked instantly.
“We ditched our friends and ended up sitting at the Margaret Mahy playground, just talking for hours,” tells Maeve.
“It was one of those magical nights.”
When the pain began
A year of long-distance love followed while archaeologist-turned-librarian Maeve, 33, finished her studies in Dunedin. Then the pair reunited in Christchurch and began building their life together. While they knew they wanted to be parents one day, it wasn’t until four years ago that they decided the time was right. Yet when Maeve came off the contraceptive pill she’d been on for more than 15 years, she experienced a host of symptoms, including severe period pain, menstrual problems, bowel issues and weight gain.
“The pain is unbelievable,” she says.
“There have been times I thought I was having a miscarriage. You’re just doubled over, unable to move, and painkillers don’t touch it.”
Watching the woman he loves suffer has been heartbreaking, says Tyler.
“I’ve had nights sitting up at 2am, stitching together a wheat pack from an old pillowcase because I didn’t know what else to do,” he confesses.
Finally a diagnosis
“I’ve come very close to calling an ambulance at times.”
After months of GP visits and tests, Maeve was referred to a specialist and underwent surgery in August last year. The results finally gave the couple an answer: Maeve was diagnosed with endometriosis, a painful inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside it. Endometriosis is often linked to infertility.
Maeve says, “They found endometriosis near my bowel and reproductive organs. It finally made sense of all the symptoms I’d had for years.”
A turning point in their journey
Maeve and Tyler realised now why they’d not had success conceiving naturally.
“There was a bit of grief at first,” admits Tyler. “When you imagine having children, you assume it’ll just happen naturally.”
Maeve’s surgery helped ease some of her symptoms, but the road ahead remains uncertain. While the couple – who share fur-baby Pepper, a greyhound-staffy cross – are still determined to become parents, they have reached a point where they’re open to the fact their journey might not be a typical one. They are looking into fertility treatment and haven’t ruled out adoption or surrogacy.
Letting go of the pressure
Through it all, the couple has learned to focus on what they can control – their mindset, relationship and the joy in everyday life.
Maeve shares, “At first, I tracked everything – ovulation tests, cycles, apps. But it took over my life and we were really quite obsessed. Eventually, I had to stop and say, ‘This isn’t helping.’ My mental health was terrible.”
Now they’re trying a gentler approach.
“We decided to take the pressure off,” says Tyler.
Stronger together
“We’re at the stage of thinking, ‘Whatever happens, happens.’”
Despite the challenges, both agree the journey has made their bond stronger and they’re grateful for each other’s love.
“He’s my best friend and my favourite person in the world,” Maeve enthuses, smiling at Tyler.
“We’ve been through a lot together, but it’s brought us closer. I honestly couldn’t do this without him.”
New Chapters in Auckland
As the couple marks 10 years together, life in Auckland is full of new beginnings. Maeve loves her job as a school librarian and Tyler has just celebrated his first year hosting on Newstalk ZB.
“It’s been full-on, but super-enjoyable,” he tells.
“I love working with Matt. His energy is next level, which is lovely to bounce off.”
Life might be busy, but the couple is hoping to find time to marry, with Tyler promising Maeve that a proposal is in the works.
“It’s a matter of when, not if,” he laughs. “I’ve made her wait so long, I know it needs to be good!”
Read the original article here.