Ali

May 2026 When I first came to Christchurch here in 1989, all around here was an absolute hubbub. Right where we’re standing used to be a fruit shop with a dance studio upstairs, and where those cars are there used to be a driveway. And the Bargain Me, that was actually called Super Value. I […]

Evelyn & Jordan

May 2026 Originally, we came from Colombia, but we moved to Ecuador for about three years, and then we came from Ecuador to New Zealand in 2018. We moved to Nelson first. I used to work with a big immigration organization. They offered a job here and an opportunity for my daughters and my son. […]

Kate

March 2026 I like sports, swimming, running, but it’s climbing that’s shaped my life. Climbing is, I reckon, one of the ultimate forms of play. I didn’t start climbing until I was 16 and did a course at the YMCA, but my mum said I was always climbing trees. When I was younger, it was […]

Wadi

March 2026 I’m from Malaysia, I’ve been here since July 2024. I’m currently studying. for a Bachelor of Commerce, accounting, it’s an undergraduate program. I’m under a scholarship from the Government of Malaysia. It’s like a fast track for my studies here, I’m really enjoying it so far. I like living in the moment. Maybe […]

Kirsty

March 2026 I came to New Zealand in 2014 to help with the earthquake rebuild, not knowing anybody. In 2015 one of my colleagues suggested I join NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction), because you get to meet other women in construction, and because there weren’t many female Quantity Surveyors at the time. Four […]

Warren

March 2026 I got into biking six years ago, maybe seven, for stress reasons. I had a fun time at school with the earthquakes and the trauma kids. There was a bubble of kids that came through very, very broken, and then there was another bubble that came through immediately after. We had sort of […]

Ofusina – Part 2

February 2026 When I came out with bipolar, of course, I was stigmatized; but it blew away. And then everybody started asking me to do talks on mental health. You wouldn’t believe how many mothers have children that are depressed, and close to giving up their lives. So, I’m hoping that my story will urge […]

Ofusina – Part 1

February 2026 Christianity, it’s always been with me. It’s always been instilled with me all my life. I grew up wanting to work for God in any way I can. I always prayed to him to use me, although I don’t have much to offer. Then all of a sudden I was married, and the […]

Merepeka

January 2026 WARNING: the following story deals with a motor vehicle accident causing death and may be distressing to some readers. Ko Motakiora tōku maunga Ko Manga-o-kewa tōku awa Ko tainui tōku waka Ko Ngāti Maniapoto tōku iwi Ko Ngāti Rora tōku hapū Ko Te Kūiti tōku marae Ko Te Tokanganui a noho te whare […]

Rhys

December 2025 I’m all about planes. I’ve always been obsessed ever since, like, my dad first took me to the airport. I remember being on his shoulders in the regional terminal and just seeing all the planes. Now my plan is to be a pilot. I’ve spent a lot of time on flight simulators and […]