Awhina and Adrian's relationship on MAFS Australia was anything but smooth. Leading up to the Final Vows, tensions were high. Earlier reports indicated a dramatic incident where Adrian packed his bags and seemingly quit the experiment after a heated argument, telling Awhina "Absolutely not" when she pleaded for his return over the phone. His wedding ring was left behind, signaling a potential permanent departure at that time.
Adding fuel to the fire was a controversial dinner party incident where Adrian engaged in a game of 'footsie' with another participant, Sierah, while seated near Awhina. This act, coupled with instances where Adrian confided in Sierah instead of Awhina, left his bride feeling hurt, betrayed, and questioning their compatibility. Awhina admitted feeling like she didn't have a "voice" in the relationship. Even Awhina's sister, Cleo, expressed doubts about Adrian's suitability for her sister before the final decisions were made.
During the Final Vows ceremony itself, both initially acknowledged their strong attraction but also the significant hurdles. Adrian confessed he could have been a better partner, and both agreed the distance between Perth (Awhina's home with her son) and Sydney (Adrian's base) was a major obstacle. They read vows indicating a split.
However, in a twist typical of their rollercoaster relationship, the separation didn't stick. As they stood facing each other after the decision, lingering looks and Adrian's admission ("I can't help it") when asked not to look at her "like that" shifted the mood. Awhina asked if he still wanted to spend time with her and talk, leading to the mutual acknowledgment, "Right now we're both saying we like each other." They concluded they had viewed the decision "too black and white" and decided to give their connection a chance outside the experiment, leaving the ceremony hand-in-hand. Awhina later commented to 9Entertainment that given their history, the confusing outcome wasn't surprising, while Adrian admitted he was still processing the rapid turnaround.