An ocean away, a life reimagined

It takes enormous courage to move to a new country on your own. Adrienne Matthews speaks with Kaiewea Temaro, who left her small Pacific Island nation of Kiribati, more than 14 hours by plane to Auckland, to build a new life and family here in Marlborough.

I come from the beautiful island nation of Kiribati (pronounced Kirri-bass), located in Micronesia in the central Pacific Ocean. Kiribati is renowned for its stunning coral reefs, diverse culture, and breathtaking natural surroundings. The island’s traditional maritime culture, rich history, and unique geographical location always made it a fascinating place to grow up in.

I completed my high school education there in 2009. Afterward, I took a break to help my family run their small fishing business. When the Pacific Access Category (PAC) scheme was announced – which allows 75 citizens a year from Kiribati to become residents here in New Zealand – my sister encouraged me to apply. Although I wasn't selected initially, I applied again and was fortunate enough to be chosen among the successful applicants. This opportunity brought me to New Zealand, a country I'd only learned about in high school through my Kiwi history teacher’s stories about the Treaty of Waitangi and Māori culture.

As a newcomer, I had mixed feelings about travelling alone. On the plane, I was both scared and also very excited about the country I was coming to and what would happen in my life. Luckily, my extended family members living in Auckland, Hamilton, and Wellington kindly offered their support and accommodation, making my transition smoother.

I began my journey in New Zealand by studying and working in an aged care facility in the North Island before moving to Marlborough, which I fell in love with as soon as I arrived for a short holiday. I knew it was the place I wanted to stay. I was captivated by the sun-kissed vineyards, rolling hills, and the warmth of the local community, and I’m so grateful to Mr Sefulufa and Mrs Tenoa Sefulufa for kindly offering me accommodation during my shift to Blenheim.

Living in New Zealand has given me a unique opportunity to blend my Kiribati heritage with Kiwi culture. I cherish our traditional dances and songs, which we still practice and perform during special occasions. At the same time, I've learned to appreciate the Kiwi values of community and outdoor living.

It was in Blenheim that I met my husband, Tuneti Tekaibeti, and we started our life together. We have maintained strong ties to our Kiribati roots while embracing our new life in New Zealand. We have two beautiful children, born and raised here – Marialucy (12) and Tj (6). They love participating in local sports and cultural events, and we're grateful for the diverse and inclusive community in Blenheim and the opportunities for tamariki.

Professionally, I've had the privilege of working at Springbrook Foods Limited since 2011, where I've grown into the role of Quality Ambassador. This has equipped me with valuable experience in quality control, food safety, and team collaboration. I'm passionate about maintaining high standards and meeting customer expectations. My husband has worked hard and had promotions too, so three years ago we were able to buy our first house which made us so happy. There are so many opportunities here if you work hard.

The people we have met here are so friendly and kind. Margaret Western from the Marlborough Multicultural Centre and her husband Alan have been wonderful friends and helped us through the challenges we have had along the way.

As a family, we continue to cherish our Kiribati heritage and culture and are introducing our children to our traditions and cuisine, which feature seafood, coconut, breadfruit, and tropical fruits and vegetables. The scariest thing that has happened to me here was the Kaikōura earthquake. I had never felt one before in my life. I was at work and very frightened for my daughter and my mother, who had come over from Kiribati to support us while we were working, but thankfully, we were all okay.

Kiribati faces many challenges due to climate change. I'm grateful to be able to call New Zealand my second home and be part of the Blenheim community. My husband and I work hard to achieve our goals, and we're thankful for God's love, guidance, and support.

To us, New Zealand is a place where, if you work diligently, stay humble, and appreciate the journey you will have a good life.