Rizwaana Latiff talks about her move to NZ, 19 years ago. Photo / Duncan Brown
They Are Us is a Q & A series, talking with migrant families around Hawke's Bay about their move, and experiences of life here.
Reporter Sahiban Hyde catches up with midwife Rizwaana Latiff who moved to New Zealand 19 years ago.
How did you learn about New Zealand?
I am originally from South Africa and they had immigration seminars. That's where I heard about New Zealand.
Why did you decide to come to New Zealand?
To be honest, it wasn't my decision to come to NZ it was my ex-husband's. I met the point system and I was the principal applicant.
I am a nurse, so I applied with the nursing consul, got registration, got a job, and moved.
What's been the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge was the change in lifestyle - no family support, and it was hard for the kids who were 6 and 18 months old at the time.
I worked in Auckland, for two and a half years, and the because of the expensive childcare I worked two jobs.
Then we moved to Hawke's Bay where my ex-husband got a job, and that was hard. There were no jobs for me at the time.
I had only one option which was night shift at the Royston Hospital. It worked out quite well because I could look after my kids.
What's been the biggest benefit?
It is much more of a relaxed lifestyle here in New Zealand.
In South Africa in 1998-99, we had a burglary, my ex-husband got mugged and other incidents occurred. We saw it as a sign to move to NZ.
Tell us about your culture: What is a myth that still exists about it?
I strongly identify as Muslim. People see the hijab as a sign of oppression, but it is not a sign of oppression.
It is a sign of respect. The respect comes from respecting you and then your culture.
Has the March 15 terror attack changed anything for you in NZ?
It has affected me, I knew someone who was killed. I knew there was an undercurrent.
The incident has shattered my belief about NZ. For me, it is not about getting angry, it is about making sure people know what Islam is about.
You can assimilate but you can still maintain your own culture at the same time. #diversitycreatesdimensions.
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