Doctors landed in paradise
Hawera’s two new Swedish doctors are surprised and delighted by the town’s hustle and bustle.
Back home, GPs Ulrika Oras and Charlotte Holmquvist said towns the size of Hawera struggle.
There are no movie theatres, no after-school activities and hardly any shops or supermarkets.
In comparison they say South Taranaki is the perfect place to live, providing an appealing work-life balance as well as opportunity.
Both women are working at Mountainview Medical. Oras will be there for the next 12 months and Holmquvist has signed up for a two-year stint.
‘‘I think Hawera has a lot to offer.’’
Oras ‘‘fell in love with New Zealand’’ during a two-month holiday here with her husband and three children.
They decided to find a way to return.
‘‘We’ve never been to this part of New Zealand before so the Taranaki region is new. So far it’s really, really nice because you’re so close to everything and Mt Taranaki is amazing. So far so good,’’ she said.
Life in New Zealand is different. For the first time the children are wearing a school uniform, speaking English full time and taking their own lunches to school.
They have more time out of school and plenty of activities to keep them busy.
‘‘They like it actually.’’ Holmquvist is on her second working trip to New Zealand.
‘‘I found it really exciting, it was intense working here but I was interrupted... I really wanted to go back,’’ she said.
‘‘I would love to travel as much as possible in the weekend and see nature and hopefully I’ll also bring my kids here for holidays.
‘‘I needed a change because life had been very stressful. In Sweden we just work and we don’t do so much else.’’
To begin with, Holmquvist worried Hawera was too small but her fears quickly proved unfounded.
‘‘Now I’ve actually seen that it has got a lot and it’s a very stable town and the people are very friendly and kind. It’s like a base for outdoor activities and it’s close to New Plymouth and not too far from Wellington.
‘‘I’m really happy that I ended up here.’’