Being Ngapuhi and growing up in Taitokerau and the Hokianga, Northland NZ, we were very much a part of the poverty stricken communities. m.youtube/watch?v=I19UdSfDd5k I too was on a benefit on many occasions and life was tough, very tough. We often drove unregistered and unwarranted cars because we simply couldnt afford to keep them legal. We would go to the beach to collect kaimoana (seafood) and grow our own vegetables to survive. We had debt collectors on our heels regularly! I remember not being able to afford school shoes for my eldest son when he was in high school. He would be given detention after detention for incorrect uniform as well as carry the shame of being so poor. I cant tell you how bad this made me feel - a complete failure as a mum. This son left NZ at the age of 16yrs old (longer than us) and has been living and working in Australia ever since. He is now 27yrs old. I remember distinctly not eating (great for dieting lol!) so there would be enough kai/food for my children to eat - especially when they hit those teenage years! This wasnt at all unique to us as a whanau, in fact, it was considered very normal where I came from. You did what you had to, to survive, everybody did it. Our meals were mostly unhealthy as it was cheaper to feed the whanau on things like hot chips and $1 loaves of bread. We relied on each other in our community to pass on things such as clothing and basics to get by and cut costs. By the time I was 30yrs old, I was a single mum, 5 kids in tow and dependent on the system to help us through some of the most difficult times of our life. I needed support from the Womans Refuge, State Housing and the DPB (single parents benefit) and a student loan. Coming from a place like Northland there was very little opportunities to study or work so it wasnt until I left my hometown and moved to Whangarei that I was able to access a tertiary education facility. I eventually became a school teacher and was able to earn enough to support our family. Life certainly wasnt easy back then but it made you strong. Leaving NZ to escape poverty isnt quite how it was for me personally but because of where I worked as a teacher in Te Kopuru - rural Dargaville I was fearful my children might grow up and become entrapped by the scarce employment opportunities and just opportunities to explore work choices, careers and growth. Therefore as a whanau we decided it would be a good idea to bring our kids who were still in school to Australia, where they would have time to make friends, have whanau support and be able to find employment with greater ease. After 8yrs of living in Aus my grown children miss home very much and their desire is to return one day, but it is still for the work and their own families they choose to remain in Aus. They are fully aware of the risks now involved with regards to their immigration statuses and are hoping this will one day change and they will have a safe footing where they can truly call Australia home also - along with their Australian spouses and children. I am grateful for Australias climate, lifestyle, higher wages, opportunities and friendships formed. Life has been incredibly prosperous and the woes of the years of struggles is but a distant memory. Nevertheless I have never forgotten - I dont want to ever forget it as it is what keeps me grounded and reminds me to stay thankful and humble. However, the decision to come to Australia has come at a huge cost and unfortunately due to our own ignorance we cannot undo what has been done for various reasons. My main regrets are of course unintentionally setting my children and grandchildren up for failure in a land that will not accept us completely. But also, another regret is not contributing more of my taxes to NZ in gratitude for the help I received in my darkest times and hour of need. On the other hand perhaps I saved taxpayers dollars by taking my family to Australia so they would not be part of the welfare cycle? Everything however happens for a reason of which I am an avid believer. Although lifes lessons can be excruciatingly difficult and painful the lessons learned have been enormously positive. We are able to truly empathise, knowing full well what it is like to be broke and down and out. Ive learned we cant judge others, but to put yourself in their shoes and be more compassionate. Isnt this what humanity and unity is all about? Nevertheless, somehow through it all we even found the strength and courage to become part of the solution. Sharing information, discovering Resident Return Visa and other pathways have been a Godsend - literally, and raising awareness is now helping many back home to make more informed decisions before moving to Australia. We are all on this journey together and I pray that no matter what happens we will keep our heads held high, stay strong and believe that all people deserve to be loved, embraced and to belong, regardless of where you come from. Nga mihi nui Erina Ps Attached is a youtube link that talks a bit about Ngapuhi and poverty.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 23:19:50 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015