Global Kiwi

It was shortly after their wedding that Monique and her Kiwi husband decided to move to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The couple had met in London where they had been living and working for a number of years, and after returning to New Zealand to get married, decided it was time for their next adventure.

Monique and her family moved to Abu Dhabi in search of a new adventure

Monique, who had been working as a lawyer for some of London’s leading banks, admits she didn’t know a lot about the UAE when the opportunity first came up, and have much of an idea of what day-to-day life would be like.

“When we decided to come and see Abu Dhabi, I had an idea that it would have an isolated, rural desert oasis sort of feeling. Instead, what I found was a very modern, very liveable coastal city. We drove along Corniche waterfront, and I saw the blue seas and palm trees and the whole place felt like a wonderful adventure waiting to happen.”

Monique’s husband job was what brought them to Abu Dhabi, although Monique had one Kiwi connection from her earliest years as a trainee lawyer in New Zealand who proved to be a wonderful friend and supporter as she integrated into new personal and professional communities. Eventually she found the right role in a leading national company. Monique says there is a huge appetite for local and international talent across the UAE as the economy continues to grow, and that this provides enormous opportunity.

Monique’s children strongly identify with their Kiwi culture

“There is so much transformation happening here, and it’s really exciting.”

In her time in the UAE, Monique has worked on corporate programs to support anti-corruption
and international regulatory compliance, as well as being involved in a various gender balance initiatives. She says that these have been opportunities she has felt lucky to be involved in.

“What I have seen is a real drive to create equal opportunities for women, to achieve greater gender neutrality and to create a more inclusive, supportive, environment in industries that have previously been male-dominated. I think to be able to be part of any drive for positive change is a real privilege and when you are given that opportunity, even in the smallest of ways you should take it.”

Monique and her husband have built a happy life in Abu Dhabi, very different to what her earlier preconceptions could have contemplated. They have two young children who are enjoying the exposure to culture that living in Abu Dhabi brings, and at the same time identify as Kiwi kids.

“We have a corrugated iron New Zealand sculpture on the wall. The kids love to wear their All Blacks kit to International Day at school. Now that the borders are open it was also great to be able to bring them home and connect them with New Zealand place rather than idea. They go to an international school so they study in English but they also attend Arabic classes a few times a week, and are curious about Māori language and legends. It’s great they have this range of
cultures, it’s really enriching.”

Monique says they are happy living in the UAE, while at the same time treasuring the
connection with friends and family back in New Zealand and Australia.

“We feel very lucky to be able to enjoy the cultural richness of Abu Dhabi, and of our New
Zealand heritage, and of the other places where we have family and friends. As the world
continues to get smaller, we increasingly feel part of a global community and our Kiwi
connection is a big part of that.”

For Olivia, it was never a question of if the family would move to New Zealand but rather a question of when.

“In the UK I was the only person in my social group who had an expat partner, which meant I was the only one who knew my life was definitely going to change. Most of my friends were making plans to buy homes near their families and look at schools, they understood how their lives would unfold, whereas I didn’t. James has always helped me see the adventure in moving abroad but it was a scary notion that at some point we would be leaving everything I knew and starting over. It was probably a good thing that it happened quite suddenly in the middle of the pandemic, James was offered the right job and we decided quite quickly to just do it.”

While Olivia had some reservations about the move, she says she recognised it as a great opportunity to support her partner while also introducing her two preschool-aged boys to a different culture. However, her perceived timeline of how long it would take to adjust to living in
New Zealand was quite different from the reality.

Olivia with her husband James and two young boys.

“We arrived in the pandemic, so it was really desolate, nothing was open, there were no groups to join, or places to go to meet people, then we sort of headed into Christmas and I wasn’t prepared for how long the holiday period lasts here – in the UK, Christmas is celebrated in a more intensely social December, but over here everyone seems to go on holiday until about February. It was much harder than I expected to initially meet people and make friends and I was really lonely.”

“It’s really taught me the value of social connections. I always knew I liked people and I liked socialising, but I didn’t realise how much I needed it until it was gone. The moment I found that social connection again, I felt better, happier, and I’m very grateful for any connection that I have now.”

Olivia decided to use her background as a personal trainer to help her meet more people and after some discussions with an old boss in the UK, she launched a New Zealand franchise of One Element, a UK based social fitness company, which aims to bring people together for friendship, fitness and fun, much like that of a sports team.

“One Element aims to create a welcoming community sense through our group workout sessions and events. After every training session, there is the chance to go out for coffee, or a drink after the evening session; we have just celebrated 6 months with a ‘HIIT and Hooley’ social and in a few weeks we’re going to hike Rangitoto. I’m planning a mid-winter Christmas event too. As the business grows I want to introduce more events. One Element aims to create a team nature, because the belief is that if people turn up for each other, the fitness will take care of itself.”

Through the launch of her business, Olivia has met a lot of other expats or partners of expats
and says she’s come to realise that her experiences of struggling to create a community are
fairly common.

Olivia’s using her experience as a personal trainer to connect with her community

“My advice to other people who are moving home with Kiwi partners would be to say that it might feel bleak to begin with because there aren’t as many open invitations to join new groups as you might expect, but if you take your time and hunt out your communities, or take part in groups connected to your passions, you will settle in, and when that happens it will be really meaningful and there’s probably a lot that you’ll learn about yourself during that time. I would also recommend people actively work to meet people and make friends, no matter how long it takes, don’t give up. It can feel like it’s impossible to meet people and break into a group but all you need to do is meet that one person and all of a sudden you end up with an abundance of opportunity and it’s so worth it. Seek out community groups and activities and people you think
you could click with – I treated meeting people almost like finding a job, it can be hard work but it’s worth it in the end.”

Almost 18 months into their Kiwi adventure Olivia says she’s now found a group of people she
clicks with and their life has picked up momentum. There are still uniquely Kiwi things she says
she can’t imagine getting on board with – such as New Zealanders tendency to walk around barefoot in places like shopping malls and supermarkets, but other quirks such as DIY she is
embracing.

“I have quite a lot of banter with my British friends because we are like, right, we’re really going
to have to sharpen our DIY skills. We’re just going to have to start painting a deck or building a fence or mowing the lawns. When we first arrived I couldn’t get over how everyone works on their homes on the weekend – how are you supposed to meet anyone if they are all home mowing the lawns or painting something? In the UK if you want something done you call someone, but here you guys just get on and do it, which is admirable. We have a deck out the back of our house that was covered in moss and black stains; the father of a friend at my group fitness sessions came round with some ‘Hit the Deck’ and showed me how to clean it. I was genuinely proud of myself to clean a deck properly for the first time!”

She’s also embracing the Kiwi outdoors and appreciates the unique experiences New Zealand
has to offer.

“I love how vegetables taste like vegetables in this country, I love how easy it is to drive places, I can get from St Heliers to Takapuna in 25 minutes off peak, and there is so much free parking. In the UK you have to pay to park on your street and you can never get a park right outside a place like the museum, or Kelly Tarltons, or a restaurant. New Zealand is also ridiculously beautiful on its calm and sunny days; I took the boys up to the Whangaparaoa Peninsula one day and we were the only people on Army Bay beach. Out of nowhere, a pod of dolphins swam into the bay – I couldn’t believe it, it was just a regular day and here we were swimming with dolphins, that’s really special. As the boys get older we can’t wait to explore further and discover more of this country and all of the special things it holds.”

One Element is a social fitness group operating in the Auckland suburb of St Heliers. If you’re
interested you can find more information here.

France
The New Zealand Embassy to France welcomes Kiwi to commemorate Anzac Day on Sunday 23 April 2023 in Le Quesnoy and Longueval. Visitors are welcome to join locals for the annual procession departing at 11am from the Place du Général Leclerc in Le Quesnoy to the New Zealand Battlefield Memorial. Wreaths are laid at the New Zealand Memorial then at the French Memorial in the town centre. The ceremony in Longueval will take place at 3pm at the New Zealand Battlefield Memorial. More details on both ceremonies can be found here.

Czechia
The day will begin at 11:30 am on Saturday the 29th of April at the Commonwealth War Graves in Prague 3 with the ode and official wreath laying ceremony. When concluded, everyone is invited to make their way to the VK Slavia Rowing Club in Prague 5. Please note that there is no courtesy bus this year, guests can easily travel from the closest tram stop and take trams 5, 10 or 16 to the Rowing Club. From 12.30 to 6 pm at VK Slavia, feel free to bring a picnic blanket and lots of cash for BBQ food, pies, sweets, drinks, a raffle and a voluntary entry fee to help us raise money for charity. There will be an entertainment programme featuring live musicians, plus activities for kids, speeches and a fabulous BBQ run by The Prague Scouts and a well stocked drinks bar that will be serving premium Aus and NZ wines, Prosecco, soft drinks and Ferdinand Beer. The Pie Shop will also be selling their Pies and Sausage Rolls and Sweet Oz will have Anzac biscuits, Lamingtons and more for sale.

Malta
The New Zealand and Australian Embassy will commemorate Anzac Day in Malta on Tuesday 25 April 2023 in the Pieta CWG Cemetery, starting this year at 09.30am to try to beat some of the heat. It should last 45-60 minutes.

Italy
Rome – The New Zealand Embassy invites everyone to an Anzac Day ceremony to be held at the Commonwealth Cemetery in Rome. The service will start at 9.00am and will be followed by a morning tea to be held just behind the cemetery. Please keep an eye on their social media accounts for more details closer to the date. Search the New Zealand Embassy Rome on Facebook.

Milan – The New Zealand and Australian Consulates General invite you to attend a memorial service on Tuesday 25 April at 9:15 am at the Commonwealth War Cemetery, Via Cascina Bellaria, Parco Trenno in Milan, followed by refreshments at Quadri Bistrot, Via Solferino 48 – Milan from 10:30 to noon. Please RSVP to [email protected] with your name and surname of each person attending.

Netherlands
MFAT is hosting an Anzac Day service at 8 am on Tuesday the 25th of April at the Commonwealth War Graves Section, Westduin Cemetery, The Hague. More details to come, please watch social media pages.

Turkey
The New Zealand and Australian Governments will conduct an Anzac Day Dawn Service on the 25th of April 2023 at the Anzac Commemorative Site, Gallipoli peninsula, Türkiye. The dawn service will be followed by an Australian National service at the Lone Pine Cemetery and a New Zealand National service at Chunuk Bair. Further information and the registration portal for April 2023 are available here.

England
London – The Australian and New Zealand High Commissions to the United Kingdom are proud to welcome the public, members of the defence forces and dignitaries to gather at a dawn service on Tuesday 25 April 2023 from 5 am to 6 am at Hyde Park Corner in London and as well at a wreath laying service at Whitehall, at the Cenotaph later that morning from 11 am to 11:30am. Capacity will be limited at the Cenotaph Service. If you wish to attend this event you will require a ticket, to enter the ballot please click here and follow the prompts: https://invtdu.to/_zx4vn. The Dawn Service is not a ticketed event, but security checks will be in place.

Ireland
Dublin – An Anzac Dawn Ceremony will be held on Tuesday 25 April 2023 – Grangegorman Military Cemetary, 7 Blackhorse Ave, Cabra West, Dublin 7 at 6:30am – All are welcome to attend The Australian Embassy will be leading the organisation of this year’s event, in cooperation with the New Zealand Embassy. Please contact James O’Donoghue at James.O’[email protected] if you have any further questions.

Dublin – Organised and run by the New Zealand Ireland Association. All are welcome to attend the Anzac Day 2023 Evening Service – Tuesday 25 April at St. Ann’s Church, Dawson Street Dublin at 6pm. Complimentary light refreshments will be served in the nearby Mansion House afterwards. You are welcome to bring a wreath to lay if you wish. All and any interested nationalities are welcome to join on the night. The NZIA kindly request you to obtain a free ticket (per person) if wish to join, this will assist with catering plans

Kilkenny – An Anzac evening Ceremony will be held at the Kilkenny War Memorial – Sunday 23 April 2023 – Kilkenny War Memorial, 10 Irishtown, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 DH32 Irishtown, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 DH32 at 16:30pm – all are welcome to attend. The Kilkenny Great War Memorial Committee will also hold a ceremony at the Kilkenny Great War Memorial in the Peace Park, Kilkenny city on Sunday April 23rd at 16.30. The ceremony will consist of prayer, poetry, music, speeches and reflection. Last Post and Reveille rendered and Piper’s lament played.

Northern Ireland

The Ballance House Anzac Commemoration Service will be held on Sunday 30 April 2023 at 2.30 pm at The Ballance House, 118A Lisburn Rd, Glenavy, Crumlin BT29 4NY. The event will take place outside and on a hill so wrap up warm . Our Annual Commemoration of the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915 commemorates in particular the gallant ANZAC, British and Irish Regiments who took part in this and subsequent conflicts. The Commemoration will commence at 2.30pm with a short Interdenominational Service. During the Service wreaths may be laid by Regimental Associations and individuals. Following the Service, light refreshments will be served.

Scotland
Edinburgh – The Anzac Day dawn Service will take place at Comely Bank Cemetery Edinburgh at 0500 on Tuesday 25th April 2023. A short open-air service will be held during which wreaths will be laid by the National President of Royal British Legion Scotland and other parties. If you have any queries on this event please contact William Millar on 0131 550 1583 or email [email protected]

Arbroath – The NZ Society Scotland and the Arbroath Branch of the Royal British Legion of Scotland (RBLS) are proud to organise their annual ANZAC ceremony on Sunday 23 April, at 11:30am, Western Cemetery, Forfar Road, Arbroath, DD11 3RA. Please arrive by 11:15am. After the ceremony, there will be light refreshments served at The Royal British Legion, Helen Street, Arbroath, DD11 3AP.

Belgium
A series of commemorations to mark Anzac Day will take place on Tuesday 25 April in Belgium: 06:00 Dawn Ceremony at Buttes New British Cemetery (Zonnebeke/Passchendaele). 08:45 Commemorative ceremony at the New Zealand Battlefield Memorial (Mesen/Messines). 11:15 Special Anzac Last Post at the Menin Gate (Ieper/Ypres). 12:00 Wreath laying at the Belgian War Memorial (Ieper/Ypres). The New Zealand Embassy will provide a free bus for Kiwi wishing to take part in the day. This bus will leave the embassy in Brussels in time to attend the Dawn Ceremony at 06:00, and will pick up additional passengers in Ieper en route to Zonnebeke. The bus will return to Brussels after the commemoration at the Belgian War Memorial in Ieper, and will arrive back at the embassy around 15:00. To book a seat on the bus please send an email to [email protected] to ask for a registration form. Seats are allocated on a first come-first served basis. Anzac Day Belgium 2023 | Facebook.

Luxembourg
The Australia and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Luxembourg invites you to a dinner at 7 pm on Wednesday 26th April at Dal Notaro Resturant in Clausen, Luxembourg. We will be joined by Diana Reaich, New Zealand’s ambassador to Luxembourg, and other guests. The restaurant is located at 149 Rue de la Tour Jacob, 1831 Luxembourg. Please register via our website. It’s €60 per person including food and drink (water / wine / beer / coffee). ANZAC Dinner | ANZCCL

USA – New York
Those wanting to attend the Anzac Day Dusk Service at Rockefeller Centre are invited to enter the ballot. Please submit your entry using this link: https://forms.office.com/r/U61hAginGf
A maximum of two passes will be allocated for each successful ballot entry. There are very limited general public spots available. Successful entries will be confirmed by email the week commencing April 10th, 2023. Those who are unsuccessful in the ballot are welcome to attend the Anzac Day ceremony on Tuesday, 25 April 2023. Please arrive at 5:30am for a 5:45am start at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on Pier 86 (West 46th & 12th Avenue. While there will be plenty of space for all who want to attend this is in a closed venue, all visitors must RSVP in advance to obtain a QR Code that will be scanned at the entrance. Please RSVP to [email protected] to receive your QR Code.

USA – Chicago
The Australian Consulate-General in Chicago invites all to their Anzac Day 2023 service on Tuesday 25 April, commencing at 7:00 am at the Chicago Vietnam Veterans Memorial, on the Riverwalk (State & Wabash). Coffee and a light breakfast will then be served nearby. There is no charge to attend this event, but registration via eventbrite here is required for catering purposes.

USA – San Francisco
The Australian American Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the SF Kiwis invite you to join them to commemorate ANZAC Day on Sunday April 23, with a service to be held at the USS Hornet in Alameda. The service will begin at 2pm and will be followed by a light reception. Guests will also have full access to explore the museum after the service. Tickets available here: Australian American Chamber of Commerce SF – ANZAC Service & Reception (sfaussies.com)

Canada
Vancouver – Join the New Zealand Consul General and Australian Honorary Consul along with CANZBA members at our annual ANZAC Day Commemoration on the 25th of April from 5.30 – 7.00PM at Victory Square, Corner Cambie & East Hasting St, Vancouver. This event is free and open to the general public. After the service the assembly is welcome to gather for refreshments at Moose’s Down Under, 830 West Pender St (reservations required, call 604-683-3300).

Cambodia
On Tuesday 25 April, The Australian embassy will hold an Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh.

The service is open to all members of the general public, in particular—veterans, Australian and New Zealand expats. When: Tuesday, 25 April 2023Where: Australian Embassy, #16B National Assembly Street, Phnom PenhTime: Entry to the embassy will be from 4:30 am. The service will commence promptly at 5:15 am, followed by a traditional gunfire breakfast. RSVP: To register your attendance, please email your full name to [email protected] by 18 April 2023. Photo ID is required for entry.

Taiwan
The Australian Office and the New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office welcome all to attend a memorial service in Taipei to mark Anzac Day. This year, the memorial service will be held at the Social Innovation Lab at C-Lab (No. 103, Section 3, Ren-ai Road, Da’an District, Taipei City). The service begins at 9.00am and is free of charge. Registration is essential and space is limited. Please send us a Facebook message or email [email protected] to register. Please note registrations close midday Wednesday 19 April.

South Korea
The Australian Ambassador, H.E. Catherine Raper and the New Zealand Ambassador, H.E. Dawn Bennet invite all to the Anzac Day Dawn Service in Seoul on Tuesday the 25th of April from 6:30 am to 7:30 am. The service will take place at the Korean War Memorial Main Hall, with light refreshments served after the service. Please RSVP to [email protected]

China
Guangzhou – The Anzac Day Dawn Service in Guangzhou will take place at 5:50am, Tuesday, 25 April 2023, at Sun Garden, Level 6, InterContinental Guangzhou (828 Yuejiang Middle Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 广州市海珠区阅江中路828号广州保利洲际酒店). Kiwi who would like to attend the Service need to complete a registration form these can be accessed by emailing [email protected]. Please advise us if you would like to bring and lay a wreath.

Shanghai – Anzac commemorations will be held in Shanghai from 6am to 6.45am on Tuesday the 25th of April. Kiwi wishing to attend should RSVP by Friday the 21st of April to [email protected]. Light refreshments will be served after the service. Please let us know if you wish to lay a wreath

Israel
The Australian Ambassador to Israel, Dr. Ralph King, invites all to attend the Anzac Day dawn commemorative ceremony at 5:30 am on Tuesday, April 25. Following the service at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, you are welcome to join their traditional gunfire breakfast. Please RSVP by Thursday, April 13 here.

United Arab Emirates – Abu Dhabi
The Australian & New Zealand Embassies welcome all to a commemorative Dawn Service at 4:50am on Tuesday 25 April 2023 on the Events Lawn at Yas Links, Abu Dhabi. The service will be followed by complimentary snacks and refreshments. Dress: business, national dress or service dress and medals. ANZAC Day Dawn Service 2023 | Facebook

If you have details of an event which is not on this list please get in touch with us at [email protected] and we will get it added.

What was it that originally appealed to you about this new role?
I’ve spent a bit of time in Ireland over the last thirty years, have watched its tremendous economic and social progress, and felt that New Zealand can both learn from and take advantage of that
progress. Having three grandchildren here made the country even more attractive.

What are the biggest challenges you are facing as you take on this role?
The biggest task this year is monitoring the NZ Europe FTA especially Irish agricultural and political attitudes. Frankly, to date it hasn’t been too much of a challenge because the vast majority of those who have considered the issues involved realise that the opportunities afforded by cooperation are massive.

Trevor Mallard was a strong supporter of better work life balance for MP’s and will now be able to spend more time with his own grandchildren as he takes up a new role in Ireland.

What value do you hope to add during your time in Ireland?
I hope we can broaden the relationship from one which to date has been good but often heavily based on sporting links to one which takes more advantage of cultural and familial ties.

Why is New Zealand’s relationship with Ireland so important?
For all of the above reasons, Ireland is a close partner across a range of policy areas. Both countries have recognised the opportunities for increasing cooperation and have decided to establish Embassies. On top of this, Brexit had made a big difference in Ireland’s importance to New Zealand – it is (other than Malta) the only English speaking nation in the European Union and therefore an important point of contact on a range of issues.

What value can strengthening ties between NZ and Ireland bring to Kiwi?
Dublin is a great place for Kiwi companies to have an offshore base with access not only throughout Europe but also into the UK and even to the East Coast of the US because of the great links through the extensive and influential Irish diaspora there. There are well known company tax advantages but not as well known is the very high proportion of the population that has tertiary education – an important factor in the technology boom. Part of my role will be to help convince Irish companies that New Zealand provides a mirror image opportunity into Australia and Asia.

What opportunities are there for growing Kiwi business in your market?
Kiwi businesses should have a good look at the analysis of the Free Trade Agreement. There will be obvious opportunities for seafood, wine and honey interests but in the medium term there are
advantages for technology companies and service providers generally. We can take real advantage of time difference, a common language and very similar legal systems for overnight professional service provision.

Michael was at home in New Zealand and 24 hours into lockdown when a recruiter from London called with a unique opportunity, an opportunity which at that point had never been offered to someone outside the British Military.

“Since 1950 the Edinburgh Military Tattoo has been directed and overseen by a retired senior officer from the British Military, mostly a General or a Brigadier. However, this time around the Tattoo Board decided to split the role of the person that oversees the event into two roles – a CEO and a Creative Director. They decided that this Creative Director should be someone from the Entertainment industry. I immediately realised what a unique and big opportunity this was.”

Michael and Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni

Michael’s always been involved in live productions and entertainment. He credits his success to pure determination and never giving up.

“During my early years in the industry, I was always focused on saving enough money for a plane ticket. I would head over to LA, New York or London and pester people to give me work. I figured that one day I would be able to open a door. It was during one of these trips that I was invited to attend the New York Commercial Theater Institute, to take part in an intensive course called Producing for Broadway and the Road. After that I headed up to London, managed to talk my way in the door of Jim Henson’s Creature Shop and took a job as a producer in their live entertainment division.”

That break paved the way to a number of big opportunities, including working on two of the Harry Potter films, the Belfast Arts Festival, as producer MusicWorks in Scotland, producing The Mayor of London’s Outdoor Festival for the 2012 London Olympics and as Senior Creative Director for Merlin Entertainment – a global company operating in 23 countries. Michael had just recorded an album in Los Angeles with his band Down in Splendour and returned to New Zealand, ahead of the covid pandermic when the call for the Tattoo role came in.

“It was the most incredible timing, literally nobody was getting any work. Our whole sector just dried up overnight. The opportunity was a real lifeline. It was also really brave and forward looking from the Edinburgh Tattoo Board because no one else was hiring or even thinking about holding live events right then.”

For Michael one of the most important things to understand was the appetite for investment and innovation, two things he needed in order to meet the brief of keeping all the traditions and beloved parts of the show but to raise it to a new level by adding production values and creative expertise.

“If I was going to do this, I didn’t want to play it safe. The Board assured me they were up for some big changes, and I have to say they have been incredibly supportive. That doesn’t mean I don’t have creative constraints, but I also have a lot of freedom.”

Since taking on the role in 2020 Michael has had to come to grips with his new working environment and overcome a number of challenges due to the very nature of the location of the event.

“The design of Edinburgh Castle makes it so challenging. We’ve got 9000 seats and one way in and one way out; it’s a logistical nightmare that only the military could handle. The castle is heritage protected so you can’t have people coming down walls because they might damage them, you can’t put pressure on the structure, you can’t use drones because they might fall down and hit the castle, it really challenges you to think. Also, the wind up there is cataclysmic and when it rains it pours… and you can’t put a kilt in the dryer.”

Edinburgh Castle is an integral part of The Royal Military Tattoo

“After Covid when we were looking at a socially distanced event, we considered the idea of moving it from the Castle. But you can’t take away the Castle; it’s a big part of what makes the event so spectacular. There are Tattoos all around the world but the Edinburgh Tattoo is so special because of its location.”

Despite the challenges Michael has brought a number of new elements into the show as well as increasing the cultural diversity, both moves which have been well received by fans.

“Each year the military groups will come with their own innovations. In 2022 we had the New Zealand Army Band, who are currently one of the rockstars of the Tattoo circuit – everyone wants them because they are such great entertainers. I really pushed them to bring more New Zealand flavour to their performance. Before they came on we had the Highland Divas, who were singing in Scots Gaelic. For their final song we used a song called Āio Ana by Kiwi, Moana & The Tribe where they went from Scots Gaelic into Te Reo and then the New Zealand Army band came out with Tarakihi, also in Te Reo. So we had a real merging of cultures.”

“One of the biggest numbers last year was a section called Electro Pipes, where we had EDM dance music with bagpipes. There were fireballs going off, video floors, DJs out there with bagpipes and huge projection mapping on the castle. I had great fun with it, but thought it might generate complaints. The reality was we had people online trying to find out where they could book the band, when it was just a number of our in-house performers that I put together six days before the show opened.

Michael says being Kiwi has helped him bring a unique flavour to the Tattoo, partly because the job is largely that of a storyteller.

“Kiwi understand the art of storytelling because we are travellers, and journeys, at their heart, are made up of stories. It wasn’t until I left New Zealand that I really appreciated that part of me.”

With sold out performances in 2022 and planning for the 2023 show nearing completion, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo looks to be wowing crowds for decades to come. Michael says he would love to bring the show back to New Zealand one day and is always looking ahead to see how he can continue to raise the bar.

“I still have some ideas of how I can make the Tattoo bigger and better, and there are also things I would like to do over and above the Tattoo. Right now, I’m keen to spend more time in New Zealand and look at ways in which I can use my experiences to help others in the sector. I think it’s important for New Zealanders to go offshore and have these experiences, but also to come back and share their talents with others.”

London

The New Zealand Society in London will be holding their Annual Waitangi Day Ball on Friday 3rd February 2023. This event will also celebrate the appointment of the UK New Zealander of The Year 2023! Tickets and more information here.

On the 7th of Feb the group also invite all UK based Kiwi to join Honorary Chaplain, the Dean of St Albans Jo Kelly-Moore, for a commemorative Waitangi Day church service at St Giles without Cripplegate at the Barbican, followed by a reception at the Worshipful Company of Girdlers’ Guildhall close by in Basinghall Avenue. Tickets and more information can be found here

Belgium

Australian Business in Europe invites all Kiwi to join them in celebrating Australia and Waitangi days at East Belgium’s own Aussie BBQ restaurant, Jambalaya! Lunch will feature Antipodean specialties, including barramundi and kangaroo! Vegetarian options are also available. More here

Israel

The New Zealand Israel Innovation Hub is celebrating Waitangi Day 2023 in Jerusalem for the first time ever! All Kiwis in Israel and Israeli friends of New Zealand are invited! Entrance is FREE!

This will be an occasion to celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand, the contribution of Kiwis to Israel and the successes of the bilateral relationship. Celebrations will include drinks and a movie. Details here.

Berlin

The New Zealand Embassy in Berlin invites all German based Kiwi to join them in celebrating Waitangi day at Braugier, Sonntagstr. 1, 10245 Berlin-Ostkreuz on Monday 6th Feb 6pm – 8pm

Some light nibbles and first drink will be provided and there will be New Zealand prizes to be won. Please RSVP by 2nd Feb via this link.

Netherlands

“Kiwis in Holland” are organising a Waitangi event at ‘The Kiwi’ on Feb 7^th. More details can be found on their facebook page. Please search Kiwis in Netherland (KIN)

Ireland

This year’s Waitangi dinner will return to the Camden Court Hotel, Dublin 2 on Saturday 11th February. The hotel is conveniently located a very short walk from the Harcourt Luas stop, there are also some Dublin Bus bus stops nearby on Camden Street. The evening gives the Kiwi community in Ireland a chance to get together for some Kiwi craic. There will also be a raffle and the three course dinner begins from 7.30pm (but we encourage you to come from 7pm and we’ll meet in the bar!). Details at www.newzealand.ie

Atlanta, USA
The New Zealand American Association (NZAA) invites all Kiwi to join them for a Waitangi Day social on Sunday February 5th at Boggs Social and Supply. Read more here.

Vancouver, USA
Kia Ora Vancouver is hosting their 10th Waitangi Day Event, on Saturday the 4th of Feb from 3pm. Kiwi food and drink will be provided and there are New Zealand prizes to be won, including two return flight tickets from Vancouver to Auckland! Tickets and more information can be found here

Singapore
The New Zealand Chamber in Singapore invites you to attend Waitangi Day Family Celebrations on Sunday the 19th of Feb from 2pm. An afternoon of fun, great food and relaxation is guaranteed, with activities for kids including face-painting, bouncy castle and arts and crafts. there will be a raffle on the day which will include a prize of 2 x Return Economy Flights to New Zealand! Please RSVP here.

If you know of an event that should be added to this list please send us the details at info@keanewzealand.com

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