The 2016 rowing year did not start out that successful for Edward and MacKenzie, and at both World Rowing Cups that New Zealand attended that year, they came third, beaten by different nations at those regattas. When they competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro later that year, they came fourth in the lightweight double sculls, which was disappointing to them. The following month, MacKenzie announced that she "needed a break" for 12 months. She would keep herself fit, but do some other activities that she had been interested in for some time, including commencing her yoga teacher training with her friend Megan Craig. Her rowing partner for the last few years, Edward, would also take a year off. Both also took the 2018 rowing season off, but neither has announced their retirement.