*Cues Fresh Prince of Bell Air Music* 🎼 Now this is a story all about howw…
Hey everyone 👋🏽
Today’s story is a compilation of stories (Mini stories if you will).
About how I met some amazing individuals who helped me survive in New Zealand.
Legit.
Throughout my time there, these persons were my ‘travel angels’ – my family away from family, my companions, my extended village, my liming partners, my guidance, my shelter, my…you get the point.
They were my everything.
Wanna hear something funny?
Each and every one of them I met through some direct or indirect Caribbean connection. That’s crazy!! (To me at least).
I’m always amazed at how these things work out.
So let’s dive right in. Here are their stories *Dong dong – Cues Law & Order SVU sound*:
Matesha a.k.a “Mo“
Background Story:
In 2016, my family and I took a quick trip to St Kitts for their annual music festival (It’s good. If you haven’t gone, you should go). I moved back to the Caribbean 6 months prior, and decided that in two years, I’d move to New Zealand come hell or high water* (T*:”No matter what”).
In any event, we were on a boat cruise one day and during the lunch break, I decided to make new friends #justlikethat. I looked around, then opted to sit at table of four women (who seemed to have been having the time of their lives throughout the entire boat ride).
A friendly conversation started and we got to that question “Whey you from?/Where do you live?” (once Caribbean people pick up on a different accent, this question is bound to come up).
They each said:
“We’re From Dominica, St Vincent and Guadeloupe, but we live in New Zealand.”
Ma jaw did drop* (T*: “My jaw dropped).
But WAIT na, there’s more* (T*: “Hold on. There’s more”).
Not only did they live in New Zealand, but they were all members of the West Indian Caribbean Association of New Zealand. HUH?!? 😕
And Matesha, who was a part of the group of girls, was the PRESIDENT! Whaattt ?!? 😲
Eh EHHHH!
Once my brain processed that Caribbean people were on THAT side of the world, much less sitting right in front of me, I sat and chatted with the women for the rest of the day.
Ya know me an dem became frens for life one time eh?* (T*: “We became friends for life very quickly”).
Contacts in New Zealand! I was ecstatic.
Fast Forward…
Over the next two years ‘Mo’ (as she’s more affectionately known) and I continued to keep in contact. When I bought my plane ticket to NZ, I asked if I could stay by her for two weeks and she said of course!
Yall, I ended up living by her the ENTIRE time I was in NZ.
Mo became (and still is) my NZ mom. She and her family welcomed me into their home with no hesitation. She introduced me to her friends and ALL the Caribbean ppl in NZ (I swear). She gave me loads of advice, encouragement, and guidance and mek sure ma belly min full each night* (T*: “Made sure I was fed each night”).
For me, Mo had my back from the beginning and I knew it. And that’s powerful.
To ma limin pardna, chef, jack of all trades and mama, I say thank you! ❤
Beth & John Keoghan
Two of THEE nicest people put on this planet (no exaggeration).
Background story:
I made up my mind to move to New Zealand in 2016, but was unsure of how my family would take it. So, I tried to butter them up to the idea and suggested they all come over for vacation in 2018. Cause I’d be living there by then (you know, give them plenty time to plan).
They weren’t having that vacation idea one bit.
But, instead of saying “You’re crazy. Where are you going?” they jumped up and said “We know people in NZ – Beth & John Keoghan. They lived here in Antigua long ago. We’ll definitely get you their information and they’ll look out for you”.
Ummmm, scuse? You know whaaatttt ?!
Fast Forward…
6 months before my ‘departure,’ Beth and John responded to my emails and all the questions that came with them.
Calls were made when I first arrived and I was quickly invited to stay by them during my visit. I took them up on their offer and so I ended my bus tour of NZ – in Rolleston, South Island, New Zealand, where they lived.
To say they took care of me is an understatement.
If anyone knows this couple, you know their hearts are bottomless and they genuinely give and care for whomever they are around and whatever they are involved in. Antigua and Barbuda, and the connections they made with my family there over 40+ years ago, were no exception.
I got to see the couple a few times throughout my year in NZ – I ‘house sat’ for them while they went on their ANTIGUAN vacation, met with them on their visits to Auckland, and I visited with them just before I left NZ for one last hurrah (we got along so well!).
I felt very fortunate to have met this powerhouse couple. To have spent time with them felt like a privilege.
Ruth Cooper
Background Story:
Ruth is the daughter of Beth & John Keoghan. One of three of their kids, she lived a chunk of her childhood in Antigua when they moved there for her father’s job in the 1970s.
She ran around the neighbourhood with my aunts and uncles and always shared fond memories of what mischief they would all get up to back then. It was hilarious hearing what they were all doing when they were so young!
Fast forward…
Ruth became another Auckland connection through my family. Her and her family made sure I felt welcomed from the get go! Any questions, anything I needed at all I knew they had me covered. I was invited over for dinners, birthdays, holidays and sleepovers and always felt a part of their family. This was a complete relief to me as I felt I had such lovely people also looking out for me during my year in New Zealand.
Ruth & Michael Yoffee
Background Story:
Ruth! (Yes another Ruth!)
Ruth’s father Michael moved her and her family to Antigua when she was a little girl. They moved there for his job right before a hurricane and lived in my grandfather’s home!! (Hence the connection!)
Unbeknownst to her family though, by moving into that house, they were automatically adopted by my family and friends! They were received with open arms by my great aunts and uncles, and my older cousins were Ruth’s companions growing up on ‘Sidehill’ (in Antigua).
Fast Forward…
To 2018 and the connections were still strong. When I moved to New Zealand, Ruth was only a 30 minute drive away. She was another guardian of sorts as she helped me with extra clothes to keep me warmer during the winters, friendly advice when I needed it, a house and cat to house sit, a car to borrow for a few months, company on walks, introduction to new friends and so much more!
I felt safe knowing yet another person in Auckland was looking out for me. And she knew my family too! I will always be grateful for our friendship Ruth.
Michael Yoffee (Ruth’s dad), though in his 90s and a stroke survivor, was a great companion on Ruth and I’s visits with him at his care home.
One of the founding members of this Antigua – NZ connection, I could not underestimate his contribution to keeping the connection alive and well over the years. So that when I, someone from the younger generation, came up, I’d have the opportunity to benefit from it in a heap of ways.
Photo Interlude:
The Ruths & I had a mini Antigua photo shoot (in NZ)! The daughters of two families that moved from NZ to Antigua at the same time – and myself!
Lara Moeller
Background Story:
SO, before I left Antigua, my dad said “Heyy! I know someone who used to live in NZ. I’ll introduce you two before you leave”
(More people again? HOW WAS THIS HAPPENING?! But I actually wasn’t complaining)
Lara, my dad and I then met up at a Cafe in Antigua and I asked her all the questions – best city to stay, must visit locations, what shoe to wear on a Wednesday – you know, the basic stuff 😅
She was amazing with all the questions and gave me great insight into what living in NZ would be like.
Fast Forward…
As I began my trek, Lara continuously checked on me and provided me with more resources and information.
However, that was just the beginning. Turns out she was moving back to New Zealand around the same time that I was. And as fate would have it, I was going to be in same city (Christchurch) right when she arrived!
While I was there, she took me round and gave me the local’s tour. I felt like I got the opportunity to see a lot that ‘tourists’ don’t see.
I returned to Auckland, but Lara not to shortly after ended up there too! (Yassss! More friends!) So Lara was always there and continued to be my adventure partner in crime. We explored the picturesque scenes of Auckland, one road trip at a time.
It was fantastic having someone who knew the country enough, but was new to the city, just as I was. It was also awesome liming* (T*: “Hanging out with”) with someone who knew exactly where you came from! I could mention people, places and things and she knew exactly what I was talking about 😅.
Thank you for being SOO kind and making me feel that much more at home Lara. 🙏🏾🙏🏾
Noah
NOAH!!
This guy was amazing. If you ever get the chance to meet him, go crazy!
Background Story:
I met Noah through a childhood friend of mine – her and I go wayyy back (and she and Noah go kinda way back). When she heard I was going to NZ, she gave me his contact and told me to reach out.
Fast Forward…
When I arrived in Auckland we touched bases. From the first link up* (T*:”Meet up”) (we went to a bar – my first time out in the city!) he continued to look out for me. He made sure I was okay or busy or meeting people or going out and enjoying the country. From African film festivals to bar hoping on a Friday night, Noah ensured I had a great time experiencing Auckland’s nightlife and what it had to offer!
A heart of gold, the Eritrean introduced me to a bit of East African culture as well #cultured. I ate (and helped make) Injera an all. I was becoming worldy here peoplee!
Anyways, shoutouts to Noah. Thanks for taking me under your wing! 🙏🏾🙏🏾
Ngaire Jones
Background Story:
About a month before I moved to NZ, I was on a radio program in Antigua. I shared with the public that I decided to move to New Zealand to take time to travel and enjoy life.
A lady just happened to be listening to the program when I was on and was riveted by my story. So much so that she callllleeeeed the station, and found a way to contact me! We had a wonderful phone call (she shared her own travel stories and encouraged me on my journey) and guess what?
At the end of it she told me she had family in New Zealand and would give me their contact information. The person was Ngaire!
Fast Forward…
To my third week in NZ and I reached out to Ngaire. Turns out during my bus tour I was stopping in her town and she was more than happy to host me!
I spent two days at her house located by a river. She gave me a tour of her town (Taupo – it’s really small) and took me up to her friend’s cattle farm (where I saw New Zealand’s finest dairy being produced). She even hosted me a second time when I did the Tongarriro crossing and linked me with her daughter who hosted me when I flew to Australia and stayed in Brisbane (yaaaaass).
Fun Fact:
Ngaire’s grandfather is ANTIGUAN and married a NEW ZEALANDER. They had kids in New Zealand, to which she is a product of that union today. INSANE!!
In any event, it felt like fate how we met and I was happy we did. She is such a lovely woman who took care of me when I was in her area.
In Summary…
This short (my version of short) compilation of these fantastic people I met in New Zealand is a testament to the good in the world. I honestly felt like I would have been telling a whole different story about my experience if it wasn’t for these folks.
Thank you. For your kindness, generosity and genuine spirits. You welcomed me into your homes, and you will forever be in my heart. Thank you.
I am forever grateful.
Thank you.
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