South African Immigrant Stories

We can’t give you lions and elephants, but find out why so many South Africans choose the Eastern Bay of Plenty as their new home.

Mick Gibson

Resides in: Whakatane
Moved From: South Africa
Job Title: Web Marketing

This is the place.

For Mick and Laurie, a desire to escape from city living and a job opportunity at a local council provided the justification they needed to make the move from South Africa.

We chose New Zealand because it is a good strategic 'outpost' in an increasingly crazy world. It offered us the opportunity to live in a smaller community - without the safety concerns that sometimes comes with doing this. It has sustainable resources and 'clean' energy supplies.

My wife got a job with one of the local councils. So this was the first port of call. That said - we did strategically select regions with good climates - for the job applications she made. And we were lucky that we ended up here.

The community here is great, and made us feel really welcome from the outset. The weather is great too. And having access to some of the most pristeen coastline also helps!

Of course there were hurdles along the way…

The biggest challenge has been the distance between us and our remaining family back home. It's hard! There were a few financial issues along the way - but nothing major.

For Mick's career, some things stayed the same, while some things changed in a major way.  He went from working in web marketing in South Africa to running his own marketing business in New Zealand.

I feel that there is a solid base of work opportunities here, and some great demand for specialist skills in the medical and education fields. I do feel that the biggest opportunity is for self-starters/ entrepreneurs to start their own businesses here in the Eastern Bay - and in so doing enjoy the amazing lifestyle and climate.

Mick is happy with the choice he and his family made.

There are few places in the world these days where you - don't have traffic lights, and don't sit in traffic, and yet can still enjoy all the conveniences of modern life, and excellent coffee too! There are few places with such a majestic and untouched coastline. There are few places with such friendly people. There are few places where your kids can grow up enjoying the simple pleasures of life that we enjoyed ourselves as kids. 

This is the place.