08 MIGRANTS

SOME BRIEF FIRST-HAND REFLECTIONS

ON LIFE AND LIVING IN NEW ZEALAND

INTRODUCTION 01
PATRICIA PAWLAK, CREATURE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
FOR LORD OF THE RINGS WETA STUDIOS 02
TREMAYNE CORNISH, TEACHER,
RUGBY COACH AND SURFER 04
ASHOK SHARMA, SURGEON AND
PART-TIME SAXOPHONIST 06
KAPKA KASSABOVA, POET AND NOVELIST 08
ZARLI SEIN, WEB DESIGNER 10
ASA LIND, LAWYER AND MODEL 12
KIT WONG, PROPERTY DEVELOPER 14
ANNATJIE AND WILLIE STEENKAMP,
PROTEA GROWERS 16
RAYMOND THOMPSON, SCREENWRITER
AND PRODUCER 18
MAHENDER PALIWAL, OWNER
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING BUSINESS 20
 08 MIGRANTS

ALL MIGRANTS ARE DRIVEN BY THE VISION OF A NEW LIFE. HERE, WE LOOK BRIEFLY AT HOW SOME
HAVE REALISED THEIR VISION. THE MIGRANTS PROFILED COME FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS AND
WALKS OF LIFE. SOME ARE RECENT RESIDENTS; OTHERS HAVE LIVED HERE FOR MANY YEARS;
SOME, AS THE CHILDREN OF MIGRANTS, CAME HERE AS TEENAGERS. THE RANGE OF OCCUPATIONS
IS EQUALLY DIVERSE. SOME ARE WELL ESTABLISHED PROFESSIONALS; OTHERS RUN THEIR
OWN BUSINESSES; SOME ARE JUST STARTING OUT IN THEIR CAREERS. ALL ARE NOW NEW
01
ZEALANDERS. WE HOPE THESE SHARED REFLECTIONS ON LIFE AND LIVING MAY HELP YOU ALSO
SETTLE IN YOUR NEW HOME TO LIVE AND BREATHE IN A NEW AND VIBRANT LAND.
02
PATRICIA PAWLAK
MONTREAL, CANADA

THE MAGIC OF THE RING DREW PATRICIA

PAWLAK FROM COSMOPOLITAN MONTREAL
TO SUBURBAN WELLINGTON.
Two years and twelve thousand kilometres later,
shes still under its spell.

Working at Weta has provided opportunities Id never

have got in Montreal. Peter Jackson and Richard Taylor
have been an inspiration.

This is an amazingly creative environment to work

03
in. Ive grown professionally and truly enjoyed living
in Wellington. And Ive realised my best because of
this. You could say Ive grown with The Ring...
NEW ZEALAND IS A UNIQUE
PLACE AND ITS BECOMING
EVER MORE PRECIOUS AS
THE REST OF THE WORLD
BECOMES OVER POPULATED
AND POLLUTED.
PAT R I C I A PAW L A K , C R E AT U R E T E C H N I C A L D I R E C T O R

F O R L O R D O F T H E R I N G S W E TA S T U D I O S .
04
TREMAYNE CORNISH
PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA

WHEN SOUTH AFRICAN TREMAYNE CORNISH WHEN WE FIRST ARRIVED,

SETS HIS FACE AGAINST THE STING OF THE
WINTER SURF, HES GOT PURPOSE. WE MARVELLED HOW NO ONE
Purpose was what our migration to New Zealand was
WAS CONCERNED WHEN OUR
all about. We wanted to give our children a future. SIX-YEAR-OLD JUST WALKED
And thats what weve got theres a real sense of
OFF TO SPORTS PRACTICE WITH
community here.
H I S F R I E N D F R O M N E X T D O O R.
With relatives in Australia or Canada we could have
emigrated to either country. But with the strong rugby N O W W E A P P R E C I A T E I T S J U S T
links between our countries as a schoolboy I met NORMAL. LIFE IS MORE LIKE 05
Colin Meads and never forgot it New Zealand always
had special appeal. We made the right choice. Settling IT WAS IN OUR CHILDHOOD
in was remarkably easy and were proud to be Kiwis A N D T H A T S A R A R I T Y I N
now. Lifes good here and our children have a great
future to share.
T O D A Y S W O R L D .
T R E M AY N E C O R N I S H ,

TEACHER, RUGBY COACH AND SURFER.

06
ASHOK SHARMA
CHANDIGARH, INDIA

AT THE END OF THE DAY THERES USUALLY

SOME TIME FOR A LITTLE LIGHT JAZZ.
At least thats how Indian migrant, Ashok Sharma sees
it. As a cardiothoracic surgeon with an international
reputation, Ashok could live anywhere in the world.
He chooses to live in New Zealand.

Its really a quality of life issue. This is a good country

to live in. We like the informal way of life and the great
open spaces. Weve enjoyed raising our children here.
They are both at university and doing well. 07
THIS IS A GOOD COUNTRY
TO LIVE IN. WE LIKE THE
I N F O R M A L W AY O F L I F E A N D
T H E G R E AT O P E N S PA C E S .
WEVE ENJOYED RAISING
OUR CHILDREN HERE.
ASHOK SHARMA,

S U R G E O N A N D PA R T- T I M E S A X O P H O N I S T.
08
KAPKA KASSABOVA
SOFIA, BULGARIA

KAPKA KASSABOVAS WORLD IS WRAPPED

IN AN OCEAN OF THOUGHT.
Her first novel Reconnaissance, explores the dislocated
world of a young migrant caught in the ebb and flow
between two worlds the childhood world of her
native Bulgaria and her contemporary life in New
Zealand. Her second novel, Love in the Land of Midas,
examines the tragic origins and consequences of the
Greek Civil War. Both novels have met with success
at home and abroad. 09
At 28, the Bulgarian-born poet and novelist already NEW ZEALAND IS A NEW AND
has a string of prestigious awards to her credit VIBRANT PACIFIC NATION
including Best First Book Award in the South East
Asia and South Pacific section of the Commonwealth W I T H I T S O W N I D E N T I T Y. . .
Writers Prize. This year she heads for Berlin to take BEING PART OF THE NEW
up a Creative New Zealand Writers Residency,
but New Zealand is not about to lose its best known
WORLD, NEW ZEALAND IS
literary import. STILL MOVING TOWARDS ITS
The Berlin Writers Residency is an opportunity to A C H I E V I N G P O I N T . . . I T H A S N T
get in touch with what is happening in Europe...
but there is a lot I am leaving behind and will be happy
REACHED ITS PEAK.
to return to. K A P K A K A S S A B O VA , P O E T A N D N O V E L I S T.
10
ZARLI SEIN
SINGAPORE

GROWING UP IN THE URBAN JUNGLE OF

SINGAPORE, ZARLI SEIN HAD NO CONCEPT
OF PACKING UP A LUNCH AND TAKING OFF
INTO THE BUSH AT THE WEEKEND.
He was introduced to the great outdoors and bungy
jumping, rafting, snow boarding and tramping when
he came to New Zealand as a student.
Now, working as a web-site designer, the fresh air,
space and green environment are key reasons hes
chosen to stay here. Weekdays he walks to work, and T H I S S E N S E O F AW A R E N E S S
11
most weekends and holidays he and friends go bush. AND ENJOYMENT OF THE LAND
I had never really given much thought to the concept IS UPLIFTING AND ITS
of an individuals personal relationship to the land,
because ones experience of the environment has been
SOMETHING I NEVER FEEL
that of an artificial, man-made one. Its quite unusual WHEN IM IN A PLACE
when the landscape actually has such a noticeable
psychological impact that it forces you to develop a
LIKE SINGAPORE.
personal relationship with the natural environment. ZARLI SEIN, WEBSITE DESIGNER.
12
ASA LIND
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

SWEDISH MIGRANT ASA LIND HAS MODELLED

IN ITALY, FRANCE, BRITAIN, AND AUSTRALIA,
HAD A SINGING CAREER SPANNING
STOCKHOLM, CANNES AND LONDON,
AND SPEAKS FIVE LANGUAGES FLUENTLY.
She could live anywhere but chooses New Zealand.
When Asa first arrived here with her Kiwi partner in
1994, neither thought of staying. But, in spite of their
early intentions, both are now firmly committed to
building a life here. Asa is about to finish a law degree,
13
and is set to get a job with a leading law firm. At 28,
and with a world of opportunity before her, shes fallen
for her new home...
I REALLY LIKE IT HERE.
T H E R E S A G O O D E N E R G Y.
PEOPLE IN THE BUSINESS
WORLD ARE WORKING ON
INTERESTING IDEAS.
A S A L I N D , L AW Y E R A N D M O D E L .
14
KIT WONG
HONG KONG

HONG KONG MIGRANT, KIT WONG IS DRIVEN I T S A N I D E A L P L A C E T O

BY A VISION.
BRING UP CHILDREN AND,
In the south-east Auckland suburb of Howick, that
vision is rapidly taking shape. The Somerville Business
ONCE YOU KNOW THE WAY
Park is New Zealands first multi-cultural business T H I N G S A R E D O N E , T H E R E S
centre. It has over 90 shops, including professional
offices, retail shops selling Asian products, an Asian-
G R E A T O P P O R T U N I T Y.
operated medical clinic and ethnic restaurants. Kit sees NEW ZEALAND HAS THE
Somerville not just as a business, but also as a way
POTENTIAL TO BECOME THE BEST
of helping new migrants settle in.
15
ECO-COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.
You have to go through a learning curve to learn the
New Zealand way of doing business. Its very different KIT WONG, PROPERTY DEVELOPER.
from Hong Kong. Somerville provides the sort of
support migrants need. Its not only a social and
economic centre, its a cultural centre.

Kit and his wife, Teresa, admit that its not easy to
start a business here and that the social transition can
be difficult. But having made the transition they love
their life here. We chose New Zealand because of
the lifestyle its green environment, pure water and
clean air.
16
ANNATJIE AND WILLIE STEENKAMP
PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA

IN THE ROLLING VALLEYS NORTH OF

AUCKLAND, ANNATJIE AND WILLIE
STEENKAMP HAVE CREATED A LITTLE
BIT OF HOME.
On the seven acres of land around their Cape-Dutch
styled homestead grow row upon row of proteas
South Africas national flower.
A dentist by profession, Willie first thought of
growing proteas for export as a retirement scheme
and a hobby. Planting started with over 2,000 protea
17
and leucadendron plants of several varieties.
IT IS SUCH A PLEASURE
We planned to start it slowly. However, it was so TO BE OUT HERE WITH THESE
exciting and had so much potential that it just took off
with a huge bang. BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS AND
Shortly, they will be adding another thousand new PLANTS SURROUNDING YOU,
plants and concentrating on Annatjies favourite plant, PICKING AWAY TO MAKE
Silver Tree. The couple see real export potential for
the variety in America, Europe and Japan but, with a
S O M E B O D Y S D A Y W I T H A L O V E L Y
three-year growing period, this is still some time off. BUNCH OF HOME-GROWN
Meanwhile, with strong support from local flower
growers, Annatjie is concentrating on developing
PROTEAS. WHEN I LOOK AT THEM,
local markets. I FEEL LIKE IM AT HOME.
A N N AT J I E A N D W I L L I E S T E E N K A M P,

PROTEA GROWERS.
18
RAYMOND THOMPSON
LONDON, ENGLAND

ENGLISH MIGRANT RAY THOMPSON CREDITS THE COUNTRY HAS HUGE

HIS ROMANY GYPSY MOTHER WITH HIS POTENTIAL TO SUPPLY NICHE
PASSION FOR STORYTELLING.
Its a passion thats led to a successful screenwriting
MARKETS. IM CONVINCED
career spanning London and Hollywood and generated NEW ZEALAND WILL EVOLVE
a multi-million dollar business.
INTO A MAJOR INFLUENCE,
He founded Cloud 9 in London in 1994 with the aim
of producing quality family programming a mixture G L O B A L L Y. I L O V E I T H E R E
of moral guidance and good storytelling. He holds AND SEE A VIBRANT AND
firmly to this principle and refuses to produce what
EXCITING TOMORROW. 19
he dubs fast-food, karate-chop television.
When he moved the company to New Zealand in R AY M O N D T H O M P S O N ,
1999, it already had a string of international credits to
SCREENWITER AND PRODUCER CLOUD 9
its name. Cloud 9 has since gone on to produce such
internationally acclaimed series as The Tribe and
Atlantis High. He sees the move as both smart business
and a choice about quality of life.

Theres opportunity here, the chance to take life in

your hands. New Zealanders are invigorating, positive
and creative. Theres no social class system and you
can have a great lifestyle.
20
MAHENDER PALIWAL
MUMBAI, INDIA

AS A BOY, BACK IN THE HEAT OF MUMBAI,

INDIA, MAHENDER PALIWAL HAD A DREAM.
He wanted to run his own business and live in a house
with a view of the ocean. What he didnt know was
that he would achieve all that, but in a different country
and a different clime.
Now the owner of a successful automotive engineer-
ing business, Mahender has realised his dream.

We have managed to buy a large, six bedroom house HERE, WITH MY OWN
with a double garage, a lovely garden and grounds BUSINESS I WORK HARD, 21
where the boys can play safely. From our house we
can see across Wellington harbour, and next door B U T I T S U S U A L L Y A F I V E D A Y
there is a public reserve area which is just great. WEEK, WITH SOME OVERTIME
Our neighbourhood is quiet and we are very happy
here. This is the sort of house we have always
NOW AND THEN. HARD
dreamed about. WORK HAS PAID OFF HERE.
M A H E N D E R PA L I W A L , O W N E R

AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING BUSINESS.

Design
Scenario Communications Limited, www.scenario.co.nz
Principal Photographer
Earp-Jones Originals, Ivor@ihug.co.nz
Contributing Photographers
Marcel Tromp
Stephen ACourt
Acknowledgements
The NZIS acknowledges with thanks the many parties who have
contributed material for this publication. Special thanks to Unlimited,
Asian Business, SANZ Connections, 62 Models and Talent Ltd,
Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment (NZ) Ltd, Wellington Regional Council.
Disclaimer
The information included in this was drawn from a number
of sources and was current at the time of print. Accordingly,
NZIS is not able to guarantee the accuracy of that information.
Copyright
Text may be reproduced without permission but
acknowledgement of source is required.
Photographs remain copyright of the photographers.
Published by the New Zealand Immigration Service
a service of the Department of Labour

ISBN 0-477-03681-3
NZIS 2008