A trip with her Auckland-based sister to check out Queenstown seven years ago was the beginning of a different life for Brazilian mum of three Ariadne Cabral.

She thought she would do a road trip, see the South Island and then return to Curibita, a city in southern Brazil with a population of 1.75M, where she still had her Masters of Philosophy to finish. 

Ariadne (Ari) said she loved the South Island instantly and contacted her supervisor to see if she could complete her remaining studies online. 

“I could, so I decided to stay in the South Island, and I booked ten days at a hostel in Queenstown.

“My sister suggested I have ten resumes to give out, and I thought I’d just see how it went.

“I got a job at the third place I went, Rydges . . . and a work visa to work as a hostess at a bar.”

She spent the next seven days making friends, and said she loved the multi-cultural nature of the town.

Her childhood experience of relocating with her family to Malaysia when she was eight set her up to be able to adapt quickly.

“I learned English and Malay in Malaysia. Then back in Brazil later on I was teaching English to others when I was 16.” 

The Central App asked Ari about her experience getting settled in New Zealand in her 30s.

“I met some Brazilian girls at the gym [in Queenstown], they convinced me to try Tinder.”

Once she found her feet with work and friendships and met her husband-to-be Taylor Chapman, who was also living in Queenstown, Ari said she knew there was going to be no going back to Brazil.

Ari said Central has become home and she was “living in a place she dreamed about living in.”

Her career has shifted and she has six months left of a two year part-time course to become a qualified Immigration Advisor.  

Her new business ‘Central Otago Immigration’ is already taking on clients, with the backing of her supervisor.

Her children William (18 months), Jacqueline (3) and Maria (4) are growing up on a five hectare property adjoining their grandparents, who run Como Villa Estate in Earnscleugh.

Her first book ‘The Plum Tree’ was illustrated by local artist Bruce Potter, is inspired by a tree in their garden and intended to capture memories and moments of nature and family life. 

She said she didn’t have closeness with her grandparents as her family was spread out at the opposite ends of Brazil.

“I’ve only found good differences here. It is so safe, that safety is very meaningful, even walking at night, no one will give you a hard time.”

She speaks Portuguese at home with her children and values learning languages from a young age because it has helped her during her life. 

People in Central were welcoming and warm towards her once she moved here, and she still was connected to the community of Brazilians living in Central Lakes.

She had been involved in a local book club, Mums 4 Mums and other parent support groups such as Alexandra Parents Centre’s music and movement. 

“I’m not alone in this [moving here] and if you’re kind, you can be kind anywhere in the world.”

Ari’s mum had visited a few times, and was moving to Auckland to be closer to her daughters and grandchildren. 

“[Mum] spent nine months stuck in Rarotonga during Covid-19 when the border was closed.”

Having her mum move permanently to New Zealand on a parent residency visa was going to be fantastic, Ari said.

Newcomers to Central can make connections through local groups the Cromwell Newcomers (email [email protected]), Alexandra Newcomers Group or by getting in touch with Welcoming Communities officer Heather Harries on [email protected].

Welcoming Communities is a programme led by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) in partnership with the Ministry of Ethnic Communities and the Human Rights Commission. 

Welcoming Communities works towards healthier, happier and more productive communities by welcoming newcomers into the local community.

Read more: Free immigration workshop in Cromwell

Read more: International families bring cultural diversity to Central

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