Another year rolls by, as fast as the last and the one before. Nine years ago today, we moved across the pond/ditch from South Canterbury, NZ.

It’s one thing coming over here for a holiday, but quite a different kettle of Hoki or Tarakihi moving over as a permanent resident. There are a few adjustments to be made, and cultural differences to take on board. But we did all that in our own humble way. After all, the Aussies aren’t that different to us. As trans-Tasman cuzzies, we’re connected. We’re ANZACs. We have history.

There’s a lot more to be said here, but these rants are short and sweet, like the pastry I made for that delicious apple pie last week. I think it was very close to the quality of Sutton’s pies. That’s a big statement. Those pies are amazing.

Anyway, back to this day is history. The move has been well worth it. I started off with a spontaneous approach, (by the seat of my pants) but now I feel integrated into the community, even though I don’t have the same local roots. However, we have been warmly accepted and treated with kindness and respect, which says a great deal.

Warwick is a nice, small city. It was a sleepy place 9 years ago, but there has been a bit of a boom; the traffic and new building development are off the scale.

As an NZ import, I feel proud to live here and grateful for the opportunities I’ve had so far. Before this starts sounding like an acceptance speech, I’ll leave you with this thought…The Aussies like to steal things from us; Iconic Kiwi band Crowded House, expressions like yea nah, nek minute…and the list goes on. But these started in Aotearoa. Just saying.

The attached photo is our potted pink Australian native ‘Pink Cascade’, and a Kiwi icon – NZ’s own Pohutukawa. We had a massive Pohutukawa tree in our backyard in Nelson. The Tui loved to feast on the flower nectar and observe the neighbourhood from the branches. Their birdsong is absolutely beautiful.

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Thanks for reading