Name:	Ofer and Maya
	Nationality:	Israeli
	Profession:	Ofer – senior lecturer Maya – formerly Nursing teacher
	Migrated to NZ:	2006

Israeli academic Ofer arrived in Wellington in January 2006 with his wife Maya, and their children Tal, seven, and Noa, four, to pursue a career promotion and the chance to live somewhere new and different.

“New Zealand is quite the farthest place in the world,” says Ofer. “It’s been an interesting and unique experience to come here.”

Ofer has a PhD in project management from Tel Aviv University where he held a teaching and research position. In 2005 he was appointed to a senior lecturer’s position at Victoria University’s Management School.

Ofer and Maya say they felt very supported during their settling in to Wellington. Members of Wellington’s Jewish community and Ofer’s new university colleagues were helpful, and the people they have met through their children’s school and kindergarten have also been welcoming.

A Relaxing Environment

It was not all plain sailing at first. It took them a while to find a place to live but eventually they found a sunny, modern three-bedroom house. And despite being told they could survive with just one car, they found they could not. They each have a car to ensure their independence.

Overall, however, they are thoroughly enjoying their life here.

“We really like that there is so little traffic. The people are kind and friendly. They have a lot of patience and they are very welcoming. It is a very relaxing environment.”

Ofer used to see little of his young children during the working week because of his long hours. They lived in their own house in Ramat-gan, about 45 minutes drive to his office. “I would almost never be home before eight or nine o’clock at night. It is the same for everyone in Israel, rush, rush, rush. There’s never enough time.”

By contrast, in Wellington, Ofer is almost always home by 5 or 6 o’clock in the evening, in time for dinner and to share in putting the children to bed.

Education

Another difference for the family is that Maya is a full time mother. Before coming to New Zealand she taught full time at a nursing school, and the children were in care.

“I am enjoying not working,” says Maya. “Through school and kindergarten, I have met other mothers and made some friends. I go to the coffee shop to talk with them, and I have children over to play, and run the house.”

She also attends an English language class once a week at Wellington High School, and a yoga class twice a week.

They have been very impressed by Tal’s school. Tal knew no English when he arrived. On his first school day, his teacher brought in a Hebrew-English dictionary – “that was a nice surprise for us” – and allocated Tal with a ‘buddy’ to introduce him to his new classmates. He also receives free English language tuition three times a week from a “wonderful teacher”.

“Tal is happy in school,” says Maya. “The school’s principal and Tal’s class teacher have been so generous, and very sensitive to our needs.”

At 22 children, Tal’s class size is also smaller than his class in Israel.

On their weekends, they enjoy the city. A particular favourite with the children is Te Papa – “We have been 10 or 12 times so far!” They go for walks around the waterfront, with visits to the various playgrounds. They enjoy the beach at Oriental Bay, and they play at Karori Pool and the H2O Xtreme pool complex at Upper Hutt.

“We are very happy we did this move,” says Ofer. “We’re really enjoying it. It is a very good experience.”