At home, in Aotearoa

16/06/2026

🌏🎙️ Making Yourself at Home – Meet Our Guest, Vivek from Malaysia

This week on Making Yourself at Home, we had the pleasure of speaking with Vivek, originally from Penang, Malaysia, whose inspiring journey has taken him across three countries and 30 years in the hospitality industry.

Vivek is currently the General Manager of Millennium Hotel New Plymouth Waterfront, a role he has held for the past two years. His career has spanned Malaysia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong, including leadership roles in international hotel brands, luxury apartment hotels, and four- and five-star properties across Auckland, Marlborough, Rotorua, and now Taranaki.

Having first arrived in New Zealand in 2001, Vivek shared his experiences of building a life and career across cultures, adapting to new environments, and finding a place to call home.

Beyond hospitality, Vivek enjoys travelling, exploring new food experiences, spending time at the beach, and following football. He and his family are now happily settled in New Plymouth and are excited to make this beautiful region their permanent home.

Join us as we explore themes of migration, belonging, career growth, family, and what it truly means to create a home away from home.

🎧 Listen to Making Yourself at Home on ART FM and discover the stories that connect our diverse community.

Thank you, Maria, from Venezuela and Brian from the US for hosting the show!
Listen here to Vivek's story: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0YTbvxL5Mty6vsXvlpbB82

🌏❤️🎙️

27/05/2026

Join us for Africa day this Saturday 🤩

TARANAKI AFRICA DAY 2026 – A FAMILY DAY OUT YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

Looking for something different to do with the family this May?

Taranaki Africa Day is back , and it’s shaping up to be our biggest celebration yet.

One thing we can promise? The food will not disappoint 👀

Authentic African flavours, amazing atmosphere, and a day full of culture, music, and connection!

This FREE event is more than just an event, it’s a chance to bring the family together, experience something new, and enjoy the incredible energy that Africa Day is known for.

📍 New Plymouth Raceway – Lamer Lounge
🗓 Saturday, 30 May 2026
⏰ 11am – 3pm

✨ What to expect:
🎶 Live music and performances
💃 Dancing and non-stop vibes
🍛 Incredible authentic African food
🎈 Kids entertainment
🌍 A welcoming atmosphere for all ages

Bring the kids, bring your friends, bring your appetite, and come experience the celebration everyone will be talking about.

With thanks to our amazing funders and sponsors — Toi Foundation, New Zealand Community Trust, Ministry for Ethnic Communities, Money Savvy Moves, and Sai Rane Mortgages.

27/05/2026

In this episode of Making Yourself at Home, we chatted with the lovely Amy, originally from Shanghai, China.

Amy moved to New Zealand in 2003 to study and completed a Computer Graphics Design degree at WITT. She’s passionate about Zumba, art, photo and video editing, and roller skating.

Now a proud mum of two boys and married to a Kiwi, Amy shared how much she values the work-life balance in New Zealand, the friendly people, and the stunning landscapes that make Aotearoa feel like home. ✨

Listen here to the interview: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Ro4dSpx2ZaFzJ0sj74U1r?si=6wCjOFHbQFqAKq1qH_sl6A

Thanks to our amazing hosts ClaRa from Spain, Alina Kibbel ( That's me ) from Romania and Brian Levine from the US. 💫

26/05/2026

In this episode of Making Yourself at Home, Alina Kibbel (That's me) from Romania , ClaRa Del BosQue from Spain and Brian Levine from the US sit down with the Angeliqe, originally from a coastal town just outside Durban, South Africa.

Angeliqe shares her journey of moving to Aotearoa New Zealand around 10 years ago and the different places she’s called home since then — from Wellington to Hanmer Springs, and now settling in New Plymouth over the past five years.

We talk about her diverse background working in hospitality and event management, and how she’s recently stepped into a new chapter, launching her own business as a personal trainer just a year ago.

A grounded, honest conversation about reinvention, movement, and building a life across cultures and places.

Check it out to listen to Angeliqe's story here:https://open.spotify.com/episode/0H8jbHtaUU5sH7jM18RimX?si=AmvUD-mjQPGUlYNkfxhgJw ❤️

22/05/2026

🌏✨ WORLD HERITAGE DAY – TOMORROW! ✨🌏

Migrant Connections Taranaki warmly invites you to join us tomorrow, 23 May, for a beautiful celebration of culture, community, food, and connection. 💛

🍲 Food
🎶 Entertainment
🌍 Cultural diversity
🤝 Community connection

📍 IMPORTANT VENUE UPDATE
Please note there has been a change of venue due to hall availability.

➡️ NEW LOCATION:
Onuku Taipari Domain Hall
Ngamotu Road, Spotswood, New Plymouth

🕚 Time: 11:00am – 3:00pm
📅 Date: Saturday, 23 May 2026

We apologise for the confusion and appreciate your understanding. Please help us spread the word by sharing this update with friends and whānau who are attending. 🙏

We look forward to celebrating together and honouring the rich cultural heritage that makes our community so special. 🌏❤️

14/05/2026

Congratulations Lukas for representing Taranaki 🤩 at Race Unity Aotearoa !

14/05/2026

🌍✨ Race Unity Speech Competition ✨🌍

What an inspiring event celebrating diversity, inclusion, and the power of young voices in our community.

Our co-host Alina Kibbel had the honour of being the Chief Judge at the recent Race Unity Speech Competition, where students shared heartfelt reflections on culture, belonging, identity, and what race unity means for the future of Aotearoa New Zealand.

A huge congratulations to Lukas from Francis Douglas Memorial College for winning the competition with his outstanding speech and presence. 👏

We are excited to share that Lukas will be joining us this Saturday for a special recording of “Making Yourself at Home”, where we will talk more about his journey, culture, the competition experience, and what race unity means to him. The episode will be live soon — stay tuned on ART FM!

🎙 Listen to “Making Yourself at Home” every Monday from 11am on Access Radio Taranaki / ART FM.

10/05/2026

Meet Bianca ✨

Born in Milan to an Italian-Syrian family, Bianca grew up surrounded by different cultures and a deep curiosity about the world. After years working in digital marketing in Amsterdam, burnout led her to completely change direction.

In 2024, she left everything behind to travel through India, where she discovered yoga as a philosophy of life, practiced Vipassana meditation in Nepal, and later taught yoga in Morocco.

Now, based in New Plymouth, Bianca is building a new chapter rooted in slow living, mindfulness, community, and authentic connection. Alongside teaching yoga, she recently launched The Kindness Supper Club — a space for plant-based food, meaningful conversations, and sharing stories 🧡☀️

Her episode is now available on Spotify ✨️🌿

✨️Thanks to our hosts Clara , Brian .levine813 and Maria ✨️