The Khanna Family
Summer Issue: October 2009
Each year, around 80,000 people immigrate to New Zealand from all over the world. What do they think of their new country?
The Khanna family (Harsh, Lin and Kuvira)
From India & China, to Wellington
Harsh and Lin Khanna describe living in New Zealand as "a massive lifestyle change". Both are from large, heavily populated countries, with markedly different cultures.
Harsh grew up in Delhi - population: 14 million. Lin grew up in Tangshan, just outside of Beijing - population: seven million. The couple now live with their 18-month-old daughter, Kuvira, in Wellington City - population: not yet 200,000.
Lin's home city of Tangshan is heavily industrialised and high rise. She came to New Zealand in 2002 because her parents wanted her to further her education and improve her chance of a better life. She already had a Bachelor degree. The toss-up, she says, was between Australia and here. She thought both countries were similar. The decider was that Australia was more expensive and required a higher level of IELTS - the English language requirement.
Lin went first to Christchurch to improve her English. She stayed with a Maori host family with six children, which she says was a wonderful experience. "They treated me like a daughter. They always took me with them, so I saw things like kapa haka."
One day, when she was walking down the street with her host family's daughter, she was surprised when a woman neither of them knew said 'hi' and gave them a big smile. "People are so friendly here."
Later, she moved to Palmerston North where she gained a Masters in Management from Massey.
It was during a trip to Wellington that she met her future husband. He was in a shop owned by a friend and their relationship started with a conversation on how to apply for residency.
Harsh ended up in Wellington, via Sydney. "I had been curious about New Zealand and wanted to visit. I'd heard a lot about its natural beauty, and once I got here it grew on me. "
But, he adds, it is a lot quieter than Delhi and Sydney. "It was quite a shock actually - things are quite dead in the city after about six at night."
Like Lin, he finds New Zealand fits all its branding clichés of clean, green and friendly. But, he adds, it's also a country brimming with opportunity. He owns land and a business, as well as managing a large award-winning apartment hotel.
Coming from an ancient culture, he perceives New Zealand as still very young. "I don't really see it as an English or Maori country, but more international. There's a place for everyone's culture - it's very easy to live here and blend in." He adds that he's witnessed very little racism.
The couple have seen much of New Zealand already, including skiing at Whakapapa and travelling down the South Island's West Coast.
What they both miss from home is their families and the food.