A good life in Gore
They love calling Gore District home. As the Gore District’s cultural diversity has grown in recent years, with over 20 different ethnicities represented, so too has the diversity among Gore District Council staff. They originally hail from England, Wales, Argentina, Croatia, Romania, America, India and Iran. Not surprisingly all appreciate the lifestyle and opportunities that living here brings. Some like Croatian-born Tourism/Visitor Centre senior consultant Renatta Hardy and her part-time colleague and Council migrant services coordinator Mihaela Erdelyi, from Romania, have been here over a decade. Others have been here less than a year, like Mariano Garcia-Nani from Buenos Aries, who is head swim coach at the aquatic centre. ‘‘It’s very safe and relaxed here, it’s great for me.’’ Mariano has joined the local Wanderers Soccer Club and loves the sporting opportunities Gore offers. MLT Event Centre supervisor, American Dan Winkel, moved back to New Zealand from the United States with his Southland-born wife about a year ago. He also loves Gore’s slower, easy-going pace and friendliness. ‘‘When we first arrived here, a neighbour dropped a welcome gift to our home. That’s not something that happens back home. In the States, you don’t leave your doors unlocked and you wouldn’t leave your children in the car and go into a store.’’ Iranian-born Infrastructure Project Manager Hashem Ramezan-Zadeh has lived in New Zealand for three years after immigrating with his wife and family. Hashem moved down to Gore from Auckland three months ago. ‘‘It’s excellent living here. We love the easy-living lifestyle and the opportunities for our family.’’ Infrastructure General Manager Ramesh Sharma was born in Nainital in India’s Lake District and grew up in Mumbai. He has worked around the world including in India and the Middle East, and then in Taupo for 10 years before moving to Gore last year. ‘‘Living in a rural area is much better than living in a city. There are fewer people which, in turn, exposes you to fewer problems you encounter in a city such as traffic, high crimes rates, and lower property values.’’ Britain is also well-represented among Council staff. Regulatory and Planning General Manager Dr Ian Davidson-Watts is from Salisbury and Leaping Frogs Swim School Coordinator Joanne Cheesbrough is from Yorkshire. Economic development coordinator Ceri MacLeod is originally from Cardiff, Wales. They all moved here for the same reasons — a great family environment, accessibility to top destinations and affordability. ‘‘Rural New Zealand is the best place to bring up children, people look out for one another — from a family perspective it’s amazing,’’ says Ian. Ceri agrees. ‘‘The community spirit here is so strong, we’re been able to integrate into the local community overnight — the opportunities for kids are fantastic.’’
‘‘The community spirit here is so strong, we’re been able to integrate into the local community overnight — the opportunities for kids are fantastic.’’ — Ceri Macleod.