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"Sports and travelling run in the family, and that's kind of what's led me to come to New Zealand."
"I grew up in a small town in Finland. My dad was involved with sports all his life, he was a shot putter, discus thrower, powerlifter, we traveled quite a bit when I was … View more"Sports and travelling run in the family, and that's kind of what's led me to come to New Zealand."
"I grew up in a small town in Finland. My dad was involved with sports all his life, he was a shot putter, discus thrower, powerlifter, we traveled quite a bit when I was a kid. He never mentioned much of the rugby days. He just said he broke both of his shin bones playing rugby, so he said, ‘never play the sport, It's crazy.’
I started playing when I was 18. I played my first cap for the Finnish national team in 2014, we won the Finnish championship with my club. Rugby is not a big thing in Finland.
I moved here to play rugby in 2017. The club that wanted me to come over was Methven Rugby Club. They got me here and they were like, ‘what do you do for work? I’d just finished chef school in Finland. ‘We'll get you a job at Mount Hutt as a chef, you can do that while you play rugby with us.’ I said, ‘Perfect. Yeah, I'm in’.
I've always loved food. My mum was an amazing cook, and still is. When I was studying tourism I worked in some hotels in Finland, and I saw how the chef's worked. I just loved the kitchen vibe and I was like, Yeah, that’d be something I'd love to do.
I've had more of a culinary journey In New Zealand than in Finland. I started at Mount Hutt, after that I worked at The Dubliner in Methven. I worked as a senior pizza chef at Sal’s for maybe six months then worked as chef de partie at Cellar Door. At Eliza's Manor, I worked myself up to a junior sous chef. Then the opportunity came to work my first head chef job at Moon Under Water.
We're privileged to have a busy atmosphere, we can try new things and get a bit creative. There are no TV’s, just come here with your family or with your mates, play board games, to socialise.
I really want to drive the local food and ingredients through the menu. We don't mind spending more for quality ingredients as long as it's supporting New Zealand businesses. We just love to use local. And it's pub food, but I feel like it's elevated.
I play club rugby here for the Christchurch Football Club, the oldest club in New Zealand and I still play regularly for the Finnish national team, whenever they can fly me over to play."
- Kalle
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
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Does the way you eat make you feel depressed or low?
Has life stopped feeling good and lost its meaning? Don’t know how to stop stress, or comfort eating? Does your eating cause you to feel listless or numbed out? Does your relationship with food make you feel isolated from family, friends … View moreDoes the way you eat make you feel depressed or low?
Has life stopped feeling good and lost its meaning? Don’t know how to stop stress, or comfort eating? Does your eating cause you to feel listless or numbed out? Does your relationship with food make you feel isolated from family, friends and loved ones?
Find out how AEA members have used the Twelve Step programme to overcome the low feelings associated with addictive eating and go on to live joyful, positive lives.
I'm sure you've seen it while doing your weekly shop... In fact, it may have even been you.
What do you think about people heading to the supermarket in their pyjamas?
Just wanted to let all the dachshund, Greyhound and whippet owners know there is a great brand of dog coats called ‘Wriggley Diggley LONGBODY “for our slender, long bodied friends”.
They are faux suede and faux fur lined with a VERY long fleece tube collar for that specific type of dog. I … View moreJust wanted to let all the dachshund, Greyhound and whippet owners know there is a great brand of dog coats called ‘Wriggley Diggley LONGBODY “for our slender, long bodied friends”.
They are faux suede and faux fur lined with a VERY long fleece tube collar for that specific type of dog. I bought them by mistake for my average dogs and had to get a friend to turn them into roll necks!!! Great quality and very warm….
I see a lot of greyhounds, whippets etc whose kind owners have them in a coat as they have very thin skin and I thought these were a great idea!
Petstock online had them on special recently when I bought mine..
Best of luck and a pat for all your doggos. Cherry 🍒
Transform a bedside table with these handy ideas and Resene Dusted Blue.
Find out how to transform your furniture with these easy step by step instructions.
At the post-Cabinet press conference, the National Party asserted they want public sector staff to return to the office. This has opened a conversation about other sectors in New Zealand who have adopted working from home (WFH).
Where possible, do you think employees should be able to work from … View moreAt the post-Cabinet press conference, the National Party asserted they want public sector staff to return to the office. This has opened a conversation about other sectors in New Zealand who have adopted working from home (WFH).
Where possible, do you think employees should be able to work from home? Vote below and share your thoughts in the comments.
Repurpose an old picture frame and serve up a message of love to family or friends with Resene colours, Resene FX Blackboard Paint and Resene FX Paint Effects Medium.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
If you're on school holiday duty this week, here are some ideas to get the whānau out of the house! Feel free to share any of your own in the comments below.
Sat, 28th Sept: Superhero Circus show @ The Arts Centre
Sat, 28th Sept: Picture Me: free art workshops @ Turanga
Sat, 28th Sept: … View moreIf you're on school holiday duty this week, here are some ideas to get the whānau out of the house! Feel free to share any of your own in the comments below.
Sat, 28th Sept: Superhero Circus show @ The Arts Centre
Sat, 28th Sept: Picture Me: free art workshops @ Turanga
Sat, 28th Sept: Movie Screening: Flow @ The Arts Centre
Sun, 29th Sept: Super Quest activity @ The Arts Centre
Sun, 29th Sept: Quail Island Pirate Treasure Hunt @ Quail Island
Mon, 30th Sept: Movie screening: Gremlins @ Lumiere
Mon, 30th Sept: Teddy Bear Ferris Wheel extravaganza @ Islington
Mon, 30th Sept: Princess-themed activities @ Riccarton Mall
Tues, 1st Oct: Juggling Workshops @ Northlands Mall
Tues, 1st Oct: Creative Writing workshop @ The Arts Centre
Tues, 1st Oct: Carnival-Themed Crafts & Games @ Northlands Mall
Wed, 2nd Oct: Badjelly the Witch Glow Show @ Te Pae
Wed, 2nd Oct: Sleeping Beauty movie screening @ Lumiere
Wed, 2nd Oct: Fudge Shape Decorating @ The Arts Centre
Wed, 2nd Oct: Make: Sticker, Bag Tag and Bag @ South Library
Thurs, 3rd Oct: Feed the Big Butterfly @ The Arts Centre
Thurs, 3rd Oct: Stilt Walking workshop @ The Arts Centre
Thurs, 3rd Oct: Ceramic Planter workshop @ The Arts Centre
Thurs, 3rd Oct: Kids Paint & Sip
Fri, 4th Oct: Kids Art Classes - daily crafts @ Roy Stokes Community Hall, New Brighton
Fri, 4th Oct: Storytime @ Riccarton Bush
Fri, 4th Oct: Scouts Aotearoa Variety Show @ Grange Theatre, Riccarton
Sat, 5th Oct: Ballet: Charlie & Chocolate Factory @ Southern Ballet Theatre
Mon, 7th Oct: Sleeping Beauty movie screening @ Lumiere
Mon, 7th Oct: African Drum workshop @ The Arts Centre
Mon, 7th Oct: Cicus Classes @ The Arts Centre
Mon, 7th Oct: Nee Naw with Deano Yipadee @ Tūranga
Mon, 7th Oct: Spring Garden Picnic @ Richmond Community Gardens
Tues, 8 October: Harmoney & Beatboxing workshops @The Arts Centre
Tues, 8 October: |One Day Circus School @ The Arts Centre
Tues, 8 October: Lego Bricks Building @ The Arts Centre
Tues, 8 October: Kids Paint & Sip @ The Arts Centre
Wed, 9 October: Traditional Kite-making workshop @ The Arts Centre
Wed, 9 October: Cicus Classes @ The Arts Centre
Wed, 9 October: Movie screening: Gremlins @ Lumiere
Thurs, 10 October: Carrot & Pickle Clown workshop @ The Arts Centre
Thurs, 10 October: Kids Paint & Sip @ The Arts Centre
Fri, 11 October: Build a Rocket workshop @ The Arts Centre
Fri, 11 October: Storytime @ Riccarton Bush
Sat, 12 Oct: Explore Antartica @ Tūranga
Other ideas:
Air Force Museum
Arion Farm Park
Canterbury Astronomical Society Open nights
Canterbury Museum
The Great Museum Santa Search
Chipmunks
Christchurch Art Gallery
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Christchurch Gondola
Christchurch Tram
CoCA Centre of Contemporary Art
Ferrymead Heritage Park
Flip Out Trampoline Arena
Imagination Station
Inflatable World
International Antarctic Centre
Mega Air Trampoline Arena
Orana Park
Rutherford's Den at The Arts Centre Interactive, science-themed family fun.
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
YMCA Clip 'n Climb
Xtreme Entertainment - bowling and arcade
Playgrounds: The Margaret Mahy Family Playground - Tākaro ā poi and the New Brighton Beachside Playground are popular destinations.
Pools - QE11, Jellie Park
Join us any Wednesday in October and November, 10am - 3pm and experience the Ryman lifestyle that awaits.
Learn about our living options, tour our show homes and discover the wonderful amenities on offer.
We look forward to seeing you there.
SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL
Fill a bag with children’s clothes!
Just $5 per bag! (Bag provided).
Also great range of children’s books and toys!
… View moreSCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL
Fill a bag with children’s clothes!
Just $5 per bag! (Bag provided).
Also great range of children’s books and toys!
Special runs October 1st until October 10th.
Tue, Wed, Thur 10 - 4pm.
Audio Recovery Stories
Hear how some of our members came to find a solution to their food obsession in Addictive Eaters Anonymous.
For most of us, seeing a friendly doggo while out and about instantly brings a smile to our faces. But how do you feel about cafes welcoming pups inside?
Cast a vote and share your thoughts below.
Just a reminder! The next meeting of the Centaurus Combined (for women and men) Probus will be 1st October, at the Cashmere Club, 50 Colombo St, Beckenham at 2pm. We advise that you come anytime after 1.30pm so that you can be met and introduced to some of the members. If you find that you are … View moreJust a reminder! The next meeting of the Centaurus Combined (for women and men) Probus will be 1st October, at the Cashmere Club, 50 Colombo St, Beckenham at 2pm. We advise that you come anytime after 1.30pm so that you can be met and introduced to some of the members. If you find that you are feeling a bit isolated or lonely this group offers a great opportunity to meet new people and try new things. We would love to see you there.
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“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially … View more“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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