Your April 2023 Mobile Newsletter

April 2023

Kia ora!

While the March equinox in the northern hemisphere signifies the promise of spring, we have had the autumnal equivalent here in the south. It’s been an unusually wet summer for those of us on the north island so I can’t say that many people are looking forward to a New Zealand winter on this particular motu (island)...and yet, I still am. After spending the last decade living in the pacific northwest region of the US, I’ve come to look forward to the changing of the seasons, even ones that are slight. Fun fact: even though my partner and I have been here for just over a year, I still get the seasons mixed up! I suppose it’s hard to change some habits after 35+ years of living in the northern hemisphere.

Last month marked a full year of living in Aotearoa New Zealand for us. While our overall experience in a new country has been relatively smooth, we’ve had definite little blips of highs and lows. It’s been humbling and eye-opening to look back and see that, yes, with time and effort and a new mindset, things have actually worked out. I hope you’ll find my trip down memory lane as encouraging and that it provides some insight – even if only a little – to those moving, or coming back, to New Zealand.

As always, feel free to reach out if there is a particular topic you’d like to hear more about. We’re here to help.

Elizabeth
Newsletter Editor

Relocating to Aotearoa New Zealand, One Year In

Hiya, it’s your editor, Elizabeth. Having recently marked our one-year anniversary of moving to New Zealand from the US, I was asked to write a letter to myself from a year ago following the tradition of the previous newsletter editor.

Dear Elizabeth from One Year Ago,

Who knew that life would change so fast! What an amazing journey you are on. Yes, this huge change can leave you a little breathless when you think about it *and* you’ll find it reinvigorating at the same time. Make sure to stop and marvel at what has happened and look at things through the lens of awe. Laugh about being the one with the “funny accent” for once and take delight in learning all the new-to-you names for familiar things.

You’ll wonder how to stay connected to friends and family, and then you’ll remember that the pandemic had a teeny silver lining when it comes to technology – with Zoom and Whatsapp and more, connecting with people is honestly not too different from when you lived in rural small town USA.

Although you have a built-in buddy called your husband, it will hit you all of a sudden that you don’t have any friends in this country and the thought of finding some is daunting, especially as an introvert. Give it time, stay true to who you are, and just “shoot your shot” when it comes to making new friends. Make sure to join at least one group or club of some kind that’s based on a sincere interest of yours – I promise, you’ll find your people.

As someone who likes to create delicious foods, the grocery shopping experience will be initially disorienting, though you’ll end up enjoying more of the process than you’d expect: seeing all the different items and names, finding a new favourite vegan ice cream, learning about cultural favourite foods here (hello savoury pies, mmm). I know, you’ll initially pine after the ability to order everything from one website (*ahem Amazon*) or buy all you need from one store (*ahem Walmart*), but in the end you’ll realise that shopping at multiple smaller stores means money is more likely to go into the community and that you’ll prefer the “treasure hunt” aspect in the end.

Get outside! You’re in a beautiful country that has so much to offer out of doors. You’re going to experience some Type I and lots of Type II fun on the tracks you’ll go on (make sure to bring your hiking poles!) as well as amazing views. The uncomfortable bits will make the experience worth it. Preparing for tramping on tough tracks by working out ahead of time also helps, ha.

Continue to go through the doors that open for you, and don’t worry about the ones that closed. You’ll find your way and your people. Your new rhythms to living in this new place will come.

Kia māia, kia manawanui (be brave, be patient) – you’ve found your new home.

Hamilton Gardens - A Waikato Gem

Long before we moved to Kirikiriroa Hamilton, we’d read and been told that a visit to the award-winning Hamilton Gardens needs to be on our Waikato region “must-see” list. Considering its unconventional garden layout that is spread out over 58 hectares (143 acres) as well as its free year-round entry, you really should add it to your list, too.

Before Hamilton Gardens existed, the location had quite the history, starting out as a Māori pā (a fortified village or defensive settlement), then a British military post, became some other bits and bobs, and unfortunately ended up as a rubbish dumping site for a time. Eventually a small portion was passed to the local Council to be used as a public garden in 1960 and it has continued to grow ever since to become a beloved local gem.

The park differs from a traditional botanical science garden and instead focuses more on the design of gardens and the relationships humans have had with them throughout time. While the outer areas feature traditional lawns and flower gardens, the heart of Hamilton Gardens is the perfectly fitted maze of enclosed gardens that represent worldwide civilizations and eras, including China, England, Japan, American, Italy, and India to name a few. A couple of enclosed gardens to highlight are the Te Parapara garden, showcasing pre-European Māori gardening techniques and tikanga (customary practices or behaviours), and the newly opened Egyptian garden that is thought to be the first recreation of this sacred garden type.

For nature lovers and those looking to feast their eyes on beautifully curated outdoor scenes, you could easily spend an entire morning wandering through the enclosed gardens. If you want to make a full day of it, you could meet up with friends and family (or not!) or simply a good book (or two!), and include a relaxing picnic on one of the lawns by the lake during the afternoon.

Hamilton Gardens also plays host to a number of events every year, one of them being the long-running Hamilton Arts Festival. One of the Festival events I attended recently was the Sunset Symphony on the Rhododendron Lawn. For a small entry koha (donation), thousands of us were treated to an outdoor performance by the Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra that included a riveting firework finish under the evening sky. It was a treat to spend time in and with the community as well as support the local arts!

Want to plan a visit? Go to Hamilton Gardens website here

Naturally (haha) they can be found on Facebook and Instagram

Heaps of many different types of events happen at the Gardens! Check out their events list or search on The Mighty Waikato

Local Lingo #1: Dairy

A dairy refers to a small convenience shop (aka corner store, bodega) that sells various sundries and staples, such as groceries, milk, eggs, drinks, snacks, newspapers and more.

“Ahh I ran out of eggs for my cake!”

“No worries, I’ll pop into the corner dairy to get some for you”

Local Lingo #2: Diary

While the word does indeed refer to a book for journaling and the like, diary also refers to a calendar or schedule in New Zealand.

“Are we meeting next Thursday at 1:30 PM?”

“Yes, that’s what I have marked in my diary”