My Journey from Algeria to New Zealand

Main BodyI arrived here in Tauranga in 2000 for what was supposed to be only a short stay to help my sister.
At that time she was very sick and her husband could not cope as he was working and his work included frequent trips out of town.

My mother told me to go to help her, as I was the only person in the family single, without children and other obligation. My family is large; I have eight sisters and three brothers. When I was a child we were rather poor, as my mother stayed home and my father worked as nurse at a hospital. We lived in a two storey brick house in a suburb of Algiers, which is the capital of Algeria, about 25 km from the centre. The city is huge with lots of industry; there are about 35 large factories producing anything from cars to tomato paste. I have left behind a good job in The Foreign Bank of Algeria, were I was employed as an Administration and Marketing executive.

I literally took only enough clothing and personal items for a short holiday.When I arrived I thought that it was paradise; first time in my life I did not work, I had all the spare time and no responsibilities. I like everything about Tauranga, I made lots of friends, the climate was similar in a way to the place I came from, only milder and I still miss the hot summer in Algiers.

My mother advised me to stay permanently in New Zealand to be close to my sister and help her and to keep her company. I’m the only person from Algeria in Tauranga now and there are only a few in Auckland. My sister since moved to Auckland and she is now well. Two years after my arrival I have received permanent residency and later citizenship, so I started applying for jobs. Earlier on I was doing some voluntary work in Melrose Park rest home, but was looking forward to working in the field that I was qualified as I have a Masters degree in Finance and Money from the University of Algiers .And that was when the happiness ended as the only employment I could get was still in the rest homes.

In a way I have come to terms with my situation, as I made lots of friends with migrants who came to Tauranga from Ireland, Tahiti, Austria and other countries and with Kiwis. I still do voluntary work -, I sang for RSA with my friend and at Christmas functions in rest homes, often dressed up in beautiful costumes from various regions of Algeria. I speak French and Arabic, but sing mainly in English and French. I’m leading a quiet life, and if I have any problems, my religion helps me through; it is so good that in New Zealand people of different religions live peacefully with each other.

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AcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries

Relates To

EventsTauranga Memories (2011-2021) - Events

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AuthorTauranga Regional Multicultural CouncilType of ContributionCommunity storyTaxonomyStories | Events

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My Journey from Algeria to New Zealand