MENU
Madison Wilson, London
How long have you lived offshore?
I moved away from my home in Auckland in March 2023. After a quick solo trip to Italy for a month, I made my way to my new home in London. I have been living here for nine months now.
What do you love most about London?
How could you not love London? Of course, there are some hardships in moving – London is so big compared to New Zealand. I love the culture and diversity here. I have met so many people I would never have had the opportunity to meet had I not left my small coastal town in New Zealand.
I love the vibrancy, the opportunity to work and travel. I love the glamour of the West End and the amazing parks. But, most of all I love my friends. As cliche as it is; I have made the most amazing Kiwi friends here. I couldn’t do it without them all, and having someone from the same country as you in a new place is like having a big hug when you’re a little lonely. Meeting like minded Kiwis has made this adventure so much more worthwhile.
Why did you choose to move to London?
Ever since I was little my mum and my dad have shared stories with me about their adventures in London. They told me the bars they visited, the tube lines they caught every day, the wild nights and the trips to the countryside. I have made most of my life’s decisions in anticipation of moving here myself. I was never trying to run away from New Zealand or leave for good, I just wanted to experience London the way my mum had. I wanted to share the stories with her and be able to look back on this magical shared experience we both had had. I wanted to call her and tell her about her clock and Dad’s Tower. I wanted to get advice on all the amazing spots to visit. Really, I wanted to be like her and live the amazing life she had at my age. So, when my mum passed away over a year ago, I knew I still needed to travel here so I could find all the missing pieces of her life before me, so I could feel her with me – leading the life she wanted me to have.
What is your favourite hidden gem destination that you would recommend to anyone visiting London?
I love Neal’s Yard in central London. It is bright and quirky and a perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of London. A great place to shop is Brixton Village which has some amazing small shops and a rooftop bar (Lost in Brixton). London always has new exciting and fresh pop ups to go to so you are never bored here.
What is the best thing about being a Kiwi offshore?
As New Zealanders, we have a great reputation with foreigners. Everyone I meet in London or in Europe is always so interested in where I come from and they want to learn about me. Employees also are always interested in Kiwis because we have a reputation for being hard working. But, the best thing is coming from a country on the other side of the world and being in a bar and hearing that familiar accent on the other side of the room. The instant connection and friendship that is formed in work spaces, bathroom stalls or in line for McDonalds. Hearing the iconic Kiwi twang and ‘yeah, nah’ is the most exciting thing in the world when you live so far away from home.
What advice would you give someone who is thinking about making the move overseas?
If you have nothing tying you to New Zealand right now such as a job you love, a family or any other commitments, then you would be crazy to not try living in a new country. I know it sounds scary and overwhelming, but it is one of the most amazing and beneficial experiences you will ever have. It’s true New Zealand is the most beautiful and amazing place to live, but there is only so much you can learn about the world and your place in it when you keep yourself on that small island. Take any opportunity you can to get out and explore the world around you.
Neil Emery and Chriss Kavanagh, Andalusia
How long have you lived offshore?
We live in a small Spanish village called El Gastor which is 30 minutes from Ronda or an hour from Seville, in Andalusia. We bought our house in 2017 and currently spend six months in Spain running our business Edible Bike Tours – gourmet ebike tours of local white villages, and then we spend six months in New Zealand working in hospitality.
What do you love most about Spain?
We love the community spirit in our Spanish village. There is no crime, everyone knows everyone and they look out for each other. You always see the elderly being taken for walks with the adult children. It is very family oriented. The village always has something happening throughout the year like festivals, running competitions, dancing groups etc. Also, we love the weather as it never rains in summer and the scenery is beautiful.
Why did you choose to move to Spain?
We chose this place because it was near Ronda which is a small city but has all the amenities you need. It is also in the countryside with back roads joining other white villages. This gave us the idea of doing ebike tours incorporating local food and wine.
What is your favourite hidden gem destination that you would recommend to anyone visiting?
One of our favourite hidden gems would be the route from the village of Grazalema to Zahara, it is a mountain road that goes through magnificent scenery.
What is the best thing about being a Kiwi offshore?
The best thing about being a Kiwi offshore is that we get to promote New Zealand. We always bring back New Zealand products like local honey and iconic sweets (pineapple lumps) to our neighbours in Spain. We are always asked where we are from by people doing our tours and that gives us the chance to talk about New Zealand.
Annuska Menoita, Amsterdam
How long have you lived offshore?
I left New Zealand in March 2023 to travel and see the world with my partner, KJ. After many unforgettable adventures, in August, we found ourselves running out of the holiday cash and decided we should start sorting out our next moves. We applied to jobs in our four favourite cities (Berlin, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Madrid) to see what bites we would get. KJ went through five rounds of interviews and landed a job at the headquarters of Tesla in Amsterdam. We officially moved here only at the start of November 2023 as there was a lot of paperwork to be done!
What do you love most about Amsterdam?
I have some family here and have grown up making multiple trips over to this magical city. It is bustling with creative people who constantly seek new connections and innovation. I adore the community that is created here by the mix of the local Dutch and expats surrounding the city. It is full of opportunity and growth and for me, it is a great place to develop as a creative and designer.
Why did you choose to move to Amsterdam?
It was a combination of good timing, having a thirst to grow, and a will to experience another facet of this world we live in.
What is the best thing about being a Kiwi offshore?
Everyone is so interested in life in New Zealand, it is great being able to give new friends recommendations of where to get their fish and chips back in New Zealand and which hikes to go on. But also, there are so many Kiwis everywhere, it is great to kill the homesickness with a walk in the park with a fellow Kiwi.
What is the biggest similarity and difference between New Zealand and Amsterdam that some people might not expect?
A similarity is people take their time! Although it is one of the central spots for business and commerce in Europe, as soon as the sun shines on a Wednesday afternoon, everyone is outside breathing in the crisp air and hanging out with a pint or coffee on hand. The Dutch know how to chill too.
A difference — the humour. If you love dry, direct, and sarcastic humour, you will feel right at home. At a slightly deeper level, I would say connection. The community itself is very uplifting and most people want to lift each other up and work together to solve bigger problems. It is just something that I have experienced and observed here. It forms a connection and a chain reaction.
James Yu, Shanghai
Where are you living right now?
I am currently living in Shanghai, China.
How long have you lived off shore?
One year and a half.
What do you love most about your current home?
What I love about Shanghai is the transport system. It makes my life much more convenient without a car, and it also allows me to easily access every corner of the city.
If someone was coming to visit the area where would you recommend them visiting and why?
Yu Garden Tour. A traditional Chinese garden situated in the center of the city, which contrasts
its classic beauty from surrounded modern architecture.
What’s the best thing about being a Kiwi offshore?
The best part is to experience the hospitality of Chinese people and enjoy the diversity of local culture.
What do you miss the most about New Zealand?
My friends back in New Zealand are what I miss the most, weekends away on the beach, visiting nice vineyards, hiking in the mountains or playing in a rugby tournament.
How do you remind yourself of home on days when you miss New Zealand?
Photos and videos taken back in New Zealand can always remind me of the best days at home.
