Migration

In the tour to NZ, I took the opportunity to meet up with some friends who used to live in Malaysia. The encounters reminded me of the Chinese TV series, "The Great Southern Migration".

Ever since the Chinese in the Middle Kingdom in ancient times decided to move south, that process has never stopped. Chinese still uproot themselves and migrate to many parts of the world. I have wondered the attractiveness of NZ as one of the destinations since it is such a small country down at the very south.

Most chose to move to a new country because of children education. Some moved because of perceived more equitable economic opportunity. There are some especially the aged who moved because the rest of the families are no longer in Malaysia. They need to be near to their children at their dying years. I wouldn't deny that this issue does prick our minds. We have yet to find a solution!

William, my university mate during my university days in University Malaya in the 70's, likes many parents chose to migrate for the children tertiary education. He chose NZ because of the cheaper migration cost compared to moving to Australia. He left Sibu Sarawak after reaching pensionable age of 55 and now settles in Christchurch. His family moved to NZ much earlier. He is now working with Auckland City Council. I believe his reason for active employment in NZ is to secure another pension from the NZ government. I was told that citizens or PR's of NZ can enjoy pension after working a minimum period of 10 years irrespective of whether with the government or the private sectors. I was told that the pension is the same amount for every individual whether one has worked as a top CEO or just a manual worker.

Christchurch, ravaged by the February 2011 earthquake is probably a good city to settle down especially for civil engineers considering the massive reconstruction required after the destruction inflicted on buildings and infrastructures.

While employments may be secured, one has to contend with the risk of future earthquakes. That risk is probably very much reduced after the 2011 earthquake because most old buildings and structurally unsound buildings have all been torn down (Read here).

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Peter who is originally from Sarawak once worked as a Pastor in the Music Ministry of our Church. After he left our Church, he taught in one Seminary in Singapore for a couple of years. From Singapore, he moved to Auckland and served in churches in similar capacity as he did in our Church. Now, he is free-lanced helping churches and groups in church music.

He is still nostalgic about Sabah and one could sense that it is not unlikely that he might opt to come back to Malaysia after all his children have graduated.

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Desiree's parents were keen that we meet up with their daughter in Auckland. Desiree of Generation Y is not a total stranger because we also knew her since her youth days in Church before she left for further study in NZ. As it turned out, she was such a great host. She helped find us a Church for our Sunday Worship Service, took us for a nice lunch and then to Eden Hill to look at both the dormant volcanic crater and the panoramic view of Auckland. We finally said goodbye after she took us to see her place of work and feasting of a variety of food in one massive food bazaar set up once a week in a covered car park of a super market.

After living nine years in Auckland, she is now eager to leave Auckland and to settle down in Brisbane, the place where her husband works. Since their recent marriage in February 2016, she could not move to Australia because she has yet to obtain her working visa. She was obviously happy at the time of our meeting because her visa was finally approved and she could finally move. We wish them all happiness and everlasting love!