From Aussie with love
Melbourne native Alexandra Nelson crossed the ditch to work as a reporter for the Manukau Courier in Auckland.
What inspired your move, and how long have you been here?
My move was heavily based around my family and my partner who is Kiwi. I’m lucky to be an Australian and New Zealand citizen, but was born and raised in Melbourne and wanted to experience living here. My parents grew up in New Zealand and moved to Australia 30-odd years ago. Most of my family still lives here. I moved here in July 2015, after graduating with a Masters of Journalism in Melbourne.
What do you do here?
Part of the pull to move here, apart from family and my partner, was also to start my career. Most Aussie journalists move regionally after graduating to get experience – but I was lucky to be able to get a job in Auckland rather than moving to ‘‘woop woop’’ (the middle of nowhere). I’m a journalist for Fairfax NZ.
What surprised you most when you arrived?
The cultural diversity in the area I first worked (South Auckland). Although I’d visited the lower half of the North Island many times, I’d only visited Auckland once and was too young to remember it.
What are the greatest advantages to living here?
The greatest advantages are the awesome places to visit! There’s hardly any weekend that my partner and I aren’t going on mini road trips. I’m yet to explore the South Island, but I’m hoping to do that next year.
Disadvantages?
There aren’t many. The pay here isn’t as good, so things are a bit more expensive. And I don’t even need to go into the hair-pulling daily traffic situation on the Southern.
What do you do in your spare time?
I like to surf, go for a run, watch trashy TV like The Bachelor, and drink coffee.
What are your favourite New Zealand foods?
It’s pretty similar to Melbourne food to be honest – but my alltime favourite place to eat is Burger Burger. I’ve never tasted such delicious morsels of goodness.
How do you get around?
I usually drive to wherever I’m going unless it’s somewhere local and I’ll walk.
How do you find the shopping?
The shopping here is nowhere near as good as Melbourne. I still find myself buying things from online Aussie stores and getting them sent here, although there are some hidden gems in Dress Smart and Sylvia Park.
Favourite after-dark activity?
Going for a run up One Tree Hill or going to the gym, then cooking dinner and sometimes having a few cheeky bevvies.
What are the top three things you recommend for visitors?
Bungy jump off the Auckland Harbour Bridge, watch a haka performance (I always get chills), and try to go on as many road trips as you can. Mount Maunganui is one of my favourite places, and we did the Tongariro Crossing over Easter weekend, which was unbelievable.
Besides family and friends, what do you miss most about home?
The cafe culture and being so close to the beach.
How easy is it for you to go home?
It’s super easy for me to go back to Melbourne. I was there for Christmas, and will visit again in September.
If you could change one thing about New Zealand, what would it be?
Definitely improving the transport. We really need more sustainable infrastructure to keep up with a growing population.