Migration

During my tour of New Zealand, I took the opportunity to reconnect with several friends who had previously lived in Malaysia. Our conversations and reunions stirred up memories and reflections, reminding me of the Chinese TV drama The Great Southern Migration, which chronicles the long history of Chinese diaspora.

From ancient times, people from the Middle Kingdom have journeyed southward in search of new opportunities, and that movement has never truly ceased. Even today, many continue to uproot themselves, settling in far-flung corners of the world. I’ve often wondered what draws so many to New Zealand - a relatively small, remote country nestled in the southern hemisphere.

The motivations for migration vary. For many, the primary reason is their children's education, seeking better schooling systems and a more nurturing environment. Others are drawn by the promise of a more equitable and balanced economic landscape. For some - especially the elderly - the decision is shaped by family. When children and grandchildren are no longer in Malaysia, relocating becomes a matter of staying close to loved ones in their twilight years.

I must admit, these thoughts strike close to home. The question of where we might spend our later years, and how close we want to be to our children, is one that lingers in the back of our minds. It’s a deeply personal and emotional matter - one that, like many others in our generation, we have yet to fully resolve.

William, my university mate from our days at the University of Malaya in the 1970s, is among the many parents who chose to migrate primarily for their children's tertiary education. He opted for New Zealand, in part because the overall cost of migration was more affordable compared to moving to Australia.

After reaching the pensionable age of 55, William left his hometown of Sibu, Sarawak, and eventually settled in Christchurch. His family had moved to New Zealand much earlier, paving the way for his relocation. Interestingly, despite being retired in Malaysia, William is now employed with the Auckland City Council. From what I understand, his decision to return to the workforce may be motivated by the desire to qualify for a second pension - this time from the New Zealand government.

It’s said that New Zealand citizens or permanent residents are eligible to receive a state pension after working for a minimum of 10 years, regardless of whether they are employed in the public or private sector. More surprisingly, the pension amount is standardized - meaning everyone, from manual laborers to former CEOs, receives the same payout. This reflects New Zealand's emphasis on social equity and basic security for all its residents.

Christchurch, which suffered devastating damage during the February 2011 earthquake, may actually be a practical place for a civil engineer to settle, given the extensive rebuilding required in the aftermath. The scale of reconstruction - covering both public infrastructure and private properties - has provided a surge in demand for engineering expertise.

However, while employment opportunities may be available, living in Christchurch comes with the lingering psychological weight of potential future earthquakes. That said, the seismic risk is believed to have significantly lessened since 2011, as most of the old and structurally unsound buildings have been demolished or retrofitted to modern safety standards (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 knew her since her youth days in our 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. She 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. She got married in February 2016 and is expected to move to Australia once her working visa is approved. 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!