IRAN
Reza Zarnekabi never intended to stay in New Zealand for long. But he fell in love with the Kiwi way of life. Five years-ago, Zarnekabi and his wife Leila, moved from Iran to Christchurch, enrolling in a PhD programme at Lincoln University.
Just two years into his PhD in environmental economics, he decided to quit.
‘‘We talked together and decided it would be a good idea to stay here a little bit more, and find a job and have an experience here.’’
He then took up a job with engineering consultancy company Aurecon.
‘‘I enjoy working for a diverse company, who respect all cultures and ethnicities.’’
Leila works part time as a research assistant for the Bio Protection Research Centre, while she completes her masters in water resources management.
Reza and Leila enjoy travelling around New Zealand camping, cycling or going on climbing adventures.
Reza says New Zealand society is more developed than Iran – ‘‘not in a structural or physical sense, but mentally’’.
‘‘Most people are very open-minded and can tolerate each other.’’
Reza has a permanent residency visa and says he is among those ‘‘indirectly’’ affected by Trump’s travel ban.
While he had no plans to travel to the US, he disagreed with the order.
‘‘Personally, I’m upset about this order. For me, banning people from travelling or living in a country based on their nationality or religion is a kind of discrimination. I know it affected a lot of people’s plans and lives.’’
‘‘I hope this policy will be a temporary policy and be changed soon.’’