Chloe of Wainuiomata: National Icon

The Unlikely Icon: A Biography of Chloe Reeves

Before reality TV stars and influencers, New Zealand had Chloe of Wainuiomata. Bursting onto screens in 1994, Chloe Reeves (later Chloe Perovic) became an instant, if controversial, piece of Kiwi pop culture history. 

With her distinctively squeaky voice, unfiltered personality, and signature footwear, she embodied a caricature of suburban New Zealand life that the nation found impossible to ignore.

The Heartland Moment (1994)

Chloe shot to nationwide fame after appearing in an episode of the television series Heartland, hosted by Gary McCormick. The episode focused on the working-class suburb of Wainuiomata, and Chloe stole the show - clad in her now-iconic tiger slippers.

Her appearance was polarizing. To some, she was a hilarious and authentic "local character"; to others, she was an embarrassing stereotype. The episode sparked a wave of complaints from Wainuiomata residents who felt Chloe gave an unfavourable impression of their suburb, painting it as a haven for "bogans" rather than a community of families.

Despite the backlash (or perhaps because of it), Chloe became a minor celebrity. She was known for her aspirations as a "would-be jazz singer" - despite a notable lack of singing ability - and her unabashed love for the limelight. She even reportedly offered her famous tiger slippers to the national museum, Te Papa, though they politely declined the donation.

You can relive the moment that started it all here: Watch Chloe on Heartland.

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The Shoplifting Incident (2008)

Years after her television debut, Chloe returned to the headlines under less celebratory circumstances. Stuff reported how Chloe of Wainuiomata had been caught shoplifting.

In April 2008, Chloe Jane Perovic, then 47, appeared in the Napier District Court. She was charged with stealing $23.62 worth of pet products from Napier's Pak'n'Save supermarket. The stolen items included a flea collar and drops for her dog, a crime she later admitted was driven by financial desperation, stating she had "run out of money."

She was granted diversion, a scheme that allows first-time offenders to avoid conviction if they meet agreed conditions.

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Legacy

While her later years were marked by privacy and admitted regrets about her parenting and relationships, Chloe remains a symbol of 90s New Zealand television - a time when a pair of novelty slippers and a bit of "hard case" attitude could make you a household name...