With increasing freedom in where and how people work, the lifestyle on offer in Central is unrivalled according to some of the area’s newcomers.

Australians Jo and Bart Thomson are planning to work exclusively from a Central home office when they build their container home on a newly purchased property on Fraser Dam Rd between Clyde and Alexandra.

Bart, who works in finance, is currently working for his new employer in Auckland, but with his wife and 18-year-old daughter they have exciting plans for a hybrid lifestyle on their plot of land.

Jo said they’re hoping to be here in 12 months and what they’re building on their land will be off the grid as much as possible.

“We’ll have solar, wind and some hydro… we’ll grow as much as we can... There is bore water on the property… we want to embrace what is here and ….embrace natural products.”

The family loves New Zealand but always thought they’d move to the Blue Mountains (near Sydney) later in their lives.

“We found there was less to do and the older the kids got, we ran out of things to do there.”

Plans for their move to Central crystallised two years ago after lockdown and the loss of a family member made them realise what was important in life.

They sold their house but were stuck in Australia until the border restrictions were lifted. 

“It’s been a massive countdown to get here,” Jo said.

Her father-in-law and her mother are both planning to move over, and the proximity of Queenstown International airport means her two older children aged 23 and 21 can visit frequently. 

Jo said the reception in New Zealand had been welcoming.

“[Central] is like a different world coming from a big city which is just too busy.”

Bart is a keen trout fisherman and he loves hunting too. 

Jo said she expects she’ll miss the beaches but our first class lakes and waterways and the skiing on offer will more than make up for it.

“I’ve got friends in Queenstown too… We fell in love with this place. Then there are no snakes [as well].”

The Thomsons’ new property on Fraser Dam Road has spectacular views. PHOTO: Supplied

Jo, an early childhood teacher who retrained as a doula, plans to get back to supporting new mothers and doing nannying work as well.

She said balance and returning to a simpler life was what she was most looking forward to from their move.

Another family who made Central home is Mamta and Kunal Nerurkar who moved to Cromwell from Mumbai three years ago and their hybrid work/life looks a little different to the Thomsons.

Similarly, they love the Central landscape and the lakeside BBQs and increased time together with friends and family. 

Mamta works part time for NZ Post as a postie and Kunal is a chef at Amigos. 

Amigos chef Kunal with his son Kianm (5) and wife Mamta have been in Cromwell for three years. PHOTO: Supplied

“My husband's work brought us from Mumbai… it’s really nice now and we are comfortable and settled now.

“It was a little bit different when we first came.

“The first year was a tough time,” Mamta said.

Mamta starts work early in the morning but is done around lunchtime most days. 

“My body is used to it… and I love my bike, it’s such a beautiful place to ride [around]..

“We’ve got friends, I’ve met other mummies and lovely people.

“For me, people are always smiling here and that is the best.”

Kunal gets Sundays off so that is ‘family day’. Soon the couple’s son will start at Goldfields Primary and Mamta said Cromwell now “feels like home”.

Our community has to keep pace with changing models of work and lifestyles as the area grows rapidly and newcomers bring cultural diversity to Central.

 Population growth… In 2018 Census 21,558 was the population count for Central, versus 16,644 in 2006. PHOTO: Stats NZ 

Groups and events in our area to help newcomers build connections include the Cromwell Newcomers Network and a Welcome Workshop Series in July sponsored by Central Otago District Council’s Welcoming Communities to register and find out more click here Join our Welcome Workshops in July

Everyone is welcome, so come along if you’re new to the area, or want to connect with clubs, social groups or employers to find that elusive work/life balance.

Roxburgh: 5 July, 4.00 - 5:30pm, 103 The Store

Alexandra: 6 July, 5:30 - 7:30pm, Alexandra Library

Ranfurly:  7 July, 12:30 - 2:00pm, Stadium Club Rooms

Cromwell: 7 July, 5:30 - 7:30pm, Cromwell Library

Have you got work life balance in Central that you couldn’t get elsewhere? Share your story with our community, email [email protected]