Jinnie | Nukuhau, Waikato

“I’m from Fiji but we came to Taupō two years back. So, my husband is a civil engineer. So, he got a job offer here, so we shifted here from Fiji.

The happiest time of my life is when I met my husband. We got married. The first time I held my baby, that was the most wonderful time of my life. So, staying together with my family, that’s the most important part of my life as well. 

I left my work 10 years ago when I had a kid, so when I first shifted here, all my kids were grown up. So, that’s when I started working again. I think going back to work is a bit challenging, but it’s the best part of my life, as well. To start work again, to enjoy it again, that’s the best part of it as well.

I’m from Fiji. I was born in a small village in the northern islands of Fiji. So, Fiji is a tropical country, my father, he’s Indian, and my mother is Fijian, and is a real indigenous Fijian. Back in Fiji, it’s very nice and when we shifted back here, it was in May and it was right in the middle of winter, it was very cold back here. But Fiji, it’s very different. It’s hot and it’s a tropical country. So, I would love to go back to Fiji for a visit but New Zealand is much nicer education-wise and for living.

We all go through difficulties in life, so at the end of the day, there is always family there that you look up to and life is hard at times but at the end of the tunnel there’s always light there, so you keep trying and you just keep striving, and moving ahead. Because there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.”