Voices of the Kea community

James Semple, Hoboken, New York

How long have you lived offshore? Have been in New York since December 2022. previously lived in Edinburgh-Scotland, Constanta -Romania, Dubai and Salt Lake City – USA.

What do you love most about Hoboken? I love that there is a place for everyone here, no matter where you are from or your background there is a place where you can be your authentic self and be fully accepted.

If someone was coming to visit the area, what are two places you would recommend them to visit and why? Walk over the Brooklyn bridge and visit Dumbo for lunch. Amazing views and food.

What’s the best thing about being a Kiwi offshore? Experiencing different cultures and ways of life.

What do you miss the most about New Zealand? Family and friends.

What do you think will be the significant issues or events which will command attention in the coming months? New Zealand general election and the Rugby World Cup.

Finish this sentence “In 2023; the world needs more….equal opportunity for women

Georgia Rippin, New York

How long have you lived offshore? 5 years

What do you love most about New York? The subway. I love how it allows me to connect with people from every walk of life in New York. Everyday you’ll have the most diverse group of people squashed in a subway car together e.g a student carrying a board of wood home, a Wall Street analyst, a family with bikes. Getting to commune with a deep cross-section of the city every day is hella special. I also love that audacity is appreciated. I got my first job in entertainment by dressing up as an assistant and sneaking into the mail rooms of HBO, Comedy Central to get these packets I made with my resume, cover letter and a block of Whittaker’s chocolate to c-suite employees. 

If someone was coming to visit the area, what are two places you would recommend them to visit and why? Jelas (17 E 13th st). A new clarified cocktail bar in Union Square. New York is for drinking cocktails with your friends, your lover(s) and so you better do it somewhere cool! Jelas has three tables and only makes milk-washed cocktails. They are delicious and served in unusual glass-ware. What more do you want? Secondly Le French Diner (188 Orchard St). There are 15 seats in this tiny French restaurant. I know, I have a thing for not many people being around me in dining settings!! The menu rotates daily and is the most delicious fresh French food in the city.

What’s the best thing about being a Kiwi offshore? Professional support from other Kiwis in your field. I am the co-founder and CEO of Kold Open, IP scout and marketplace for Hollywood studios to find web series to make into full length shows. Check out my company at koldopen.com. If you know any producers/agents or Hollywood stars looking for IP. I’d love to hear from you! All the other amazing Kiwi in media-tech in the USA have been so incredibly supportive to me. Shout-out to Hamish at Substack and Ben at the Nudge, Zac and Xavier at Supermix. When there are a mighty few Kiwi tackling the American media system you really feel a sense of kinship and support that I know from talking to other immigrant friends in the US, is not the status quo.

What do you miss the most about New Zealand? Pascals Marshmallows. I miss the implicit need for New Zealand coffee shops to add value to their coffees with these little floury dreams!

I also miss Coffee that doesn’t taste like a milkshake. i.e an over-pour of too much milk. Yes there is a theme in this ‘missing list’ And I miss my brother. He is also a startup founder of Waltyn workwear (a construction clothing company). If he also lived in New York, we could be servicing the city. Getting construction people watching web series on their breaks and wearing his protective clothing!!

What do you think will be the significant issues or events which will command

attention in the coming months? Whether Samantha Ryan of Tracksuit will perform as the newest organizer of Flat White meet-up (a monthly New Zealand in New York keynote). The blogs and spectators have said she may be “fresh on the scene” but has a mighty pocketbook to pull together an impressive roster of speakers.

Finish this sentence “In 2023; the world needs more…..Model UN conventions.

Shahir Daud, Queens, New York

How long have you lived offshore? Thirteen years

What do you love most about New York? Great food and community around us. We’re also a hop away from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut.

If someone was coming to visit the area, what are two places you would recommend them to visit and why? Generally speaking, everything revolves around food, so I would recommend Los Tacos #1, Levain Bakery and Misi in Brooklyn (if you can get a reservation!)

What’s the best thing about being a Kiwi offshore? Answering questions people have about New Zealand. Anecdotally, since the start of the pandemic, interest in NZ went up exponentially, so it’s always nice to tell people about how wonderful home is.

What do you miss the most about New Zealand? Friends, family, universal healthcare, gun control and great coffee.

What do you think will be the significant issues or events which will command attention in the coming months? The US has been teetering on a recession for a while and depending on the timing and scale, global markets may feel the flow on effects of a slower US economy.

Finish this sentence “In 2023; the world needs more…..Fun!