April 2024 Kia ora,I’m Mel (Melissa) Fletcher; one of the Relocation Advisors in Auckland. I am a passionate Kiwi, and have experience of being an expat; living in a foreign language, and I understand what it is like to be uprooted from my friends and family and flung across the world.
I am excited to write the monthly newsletter for Mobile for the next few months and share my insights and experiences with you all.
In the last few weeks we have definitely noticed the air has become a bit chillier and the mornings darker when we get up here in NZ. Sadly this means the end of Summer and transition into Autumn.
Autumn in NZ can be one of the loveliest seasons of the year. During Autumn, (Ngahuru) NZ can enjoy some of the most settled weather of the year. One can soak up long sunny days, with just the hint of a chill starting to appear. One finds that the mornings and evenings can have a wee bite in the air, but the main part of the day can elicit some gorgeous clear blue sky days. (Secretly I prefer this time of year to the scorching hot days of high summer.) This Easter long weekend here in Auckland we have been blessed with gorgeous weather.
View of Rangitoto from Kohimarama Beach, Auckland. 31 March 2024.
We experienced all sorts of weather from sunshine, rain, snow, sleet and sunshine again.
The Central Otago regionof NZ should be on your bucket list. It is stunning.
View of the river from Clutha Gold Cycle Way. Central Otago. South Island
Anzac Day, falls on 25th April. It is a national day of remembrance as well as a statutory holiday; held every year on the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli in Turkey on 25 April in 1915.
The ANZAC biscuit is often served at this time of year. It has been claimed that these biscuits were sent by wives and women's groups to soldiers abroad because the ingredients do not spoil easily and the biscuits kept well.
Why don’t you have a go at making some? I promise you - they are delicious! ANZAC Biscuit Recipe
TIP FOR NEWCOMERS TO NZ
While the days are starting to cool, New Zealanders often keep their bread in the fridge, as bread can quickly go mouldy in our warmer temperatures. Especially our iconic Vogels. (Best served with avocado and some ground black pepper, or if you're brave - Vegemite/Marmite.)
WORD OF THE MONTH: Aroha
Commonly thought to mean love, the Māori word 'Aroha' actually encompasses much more.
To show or share aroha is to care, to be kind and compassionate, to show empathy and affection.
It encourages individuals to act with generosity of spirit and to give to others, without thought or expectation of reward.
