July 2, 2025 • 42 mins
🎙️ Episode 13: The DUI That Almost Cost Him New Zealand
Description:
What happens when one bad decision behind the wheel puts your entire future in New Zealand at risk? In this deeply personal episode of Soft Landing, I sit down with a close friend who shares his raw and honest story of getting caught driving under the influence (DUI) in New Zealand.
He opens up about the moment he was pulled over, the stress of going through the legal system, and how the incident rippled through every part of his life—his visa, job, family, and mental health. It's a cautionary tale that every immigrant, newcomer, and long-term resident needs to hear.
We cover:
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What actually happens when you're charged with a DUI in NZ
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The emotional and legal impact on visa holders
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How it affected his career and personal life
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A powerful message for anyone thinking “it’ll never happen to me”
Whether you’re new to New Zealand or you’ve been here for years, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more.
🟣 iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/soft-landing/id1805477245
🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5t3FeTxjNup90JfemCzkH0?si=0IsIieMqTfGB2-vGfv1uVg
🔴 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@softlandingnz
New Zealand's national suicide prevention training:
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:04):
There are over 100,000 people whoimmigrate to New Zealand every year with
the intention to make New Zealand theirhome, leaving behind everything they
know as normal day-to-day life and havingto learn new ways of doing things, new
norms, new cultures, and different values.
There are many people who struggle withthis transition and find it challenging
(00:25):
to adjust and settle so they cancall and make New Zealand their home.
The purpose of this podcast is for meto share my journey and our challenges
with the hope that you can learn from meand my family and have a softer landing.
There will be good days and baddays, but with time, more good days.
I believe we have made theright choice for our family.
(00:46):
I want to try and help you do the same,but hopefully with a softer landing.
This is Soft Landing and Iam your host, Brett Colette.
Welcome to this podcast, designed foranyone thinking about preparing for, or
who has just immigrated to New Zealand.
Subscribe now so you never miss an episodedrawing from his personal experience.
(01:09):
This series will guide you throughthe process of preparing for your
move and helping you navigatethe challenges of immigration.
Hey everybody.
very grateful that you, guys aregonna join me again and listening
to another one of my podcasts.
I've been putting it out on socialmedia and letting you know that
(01:29):
I've got somebody joining me today.
I've got a good friend of mine, Jono.
He's joining me today for a, an interviewon my podcast, something that's new to me.
I've only.
Just interviewed my wife, on two podcasts,ago, so this is my second interview, so
bear with me while I'm learning, but I'mvery excited to have him join us today.
(01:50):
I'm gonna let him introducehimself so he'll, tell you who
he is and why he is joining me.
We'll get into all of that, but justso that it's a good friend of mine.
He actually, we went to schooltogether, so we've known each other
for many years and we are gettingold and creaky now in our old age.
We were just chatting alittle bit downstairs.
How when we're doing gym and doingdifferent things, now your body is
actually starting to give up on you.
So yeah, that's what happenswhen you get to middle age.
(02:10):
but yeah, I'm really honored and,grateful to have you join me, Jono.
and maybe that's where I'll,let you just introduce yourself.
Just let everybody knowwho you are and, yeah.
Let to know a little bit about yourself.
Yeah, likewise.
Thanks very much.
It's, been great to have continuedour journey together from
many, years ago in high school.
Yeah, it's been brilliant.
(02:31):
So I'm Jono.
I've been in New Zealand just over nineyears now and yeah, came to New Zealand.
wanted to get away from South Africa.
Used to be in the, media world.
Used to run up to the main newspapersin South Africa and used to get
a lot of behind the scenes Yeah.
Of what was happening.
(02:51):
And it got to a stage where itjust got a little bit scary.
Had young kids.
Yeah.
with a one and a 3-year-old anddecided that we needed to change.
And farm New Zealand had some reallygood friends that stayed here.
They convinced us after an evening whenthey came to visit in, South Africa
(03:14):
just the year before, and we decided to.
Move across.
Take the plunge, get a sell up everything.
Visit a Visa three months, bitethe bullet, apply it for over
350 jobs, made it over 230 phonecalls, and in three months time,
managed to land a fantastic job.
Oh,
brilliant.
And
that's how it
(03:34):
started.
Brilliant.
Everybody has their story.
I know we were mentioning a littlebit downstairs and we will get into
what the podcast is about shortly.
but just to chat about that a bit.
So nine years that you've beenhere, we've only been here two and
a half years and already it's beenone hell of a rollercoaster ride
and everybody has their story.
I didn't realize that you were actuallyso into the media and everything in
South Africa really, so you actuallyreally knew what was going on.
(03:57):
So it really makes sense why you would've.
Wanna consider leavingand coming to New Zealand?
Definitely.
we got to see a lot in the newsroom.
Yeah.
Got to see a lot of behind the scenesof stuff that we couldn't publish.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And it, was always, it was gruesome.
Okay.
A lot of things.
And there was a specific, one ofthe things that was shown that
was just, that just ended me.
(04:19):
Okay.
Couldn't, So that was a big
driver.
It was just to get the massive safetyfor your family and everything like that.
yeah.
It was, for the kids.
Yeah.
And we used to, I can remember they,they called it a dairy over here.
Yeah.
We called it a little shop orwhatever we used to call it.
I can't even remember.
I think it was Cafe.
A Cafe.
Cafe, yeah.
Yeah.
Three doors down fromwhere we used to stay.
(04:39):
Yeah.
And, wouldn't let my wife even walk down.
It just wasn't safe.
So yeah.
We wanted something a little bit, and wehave, we can genuinely say we've farmed
paradise and very, blessed to be here.
Yeah.
And it's safe.
Your kids can go runningaround and all the rest here.
Oh, it's, phenomenal.
I, can actually remember the first time,We were here, it was 9:00 PM at night and
my wife wanted to go to a yoga session.
(05:02):
Oh yeah.
At which was about a K walk down the road.
Yeah.
'cause here in New Zealand to getthe beautiful area we in, they got
big bra, board walks on the sidethat you can walk on very safely.
And she went off to yoga,walked 9:00 PM at night.
And I can remember that feeling.
It was like, Hey, I'm not worried.
Yeah.
I'm not stressed at all.
(05:22):
Yeah.
And it, that, that feelingwas just phenomenal.
Yeah.
Not having to worry or Yeah.
when you hear, you don't needto look over your shoulder.
Yeah.
It's a completely different mindand.
I think you've touched on somethingthat I've noticed a lot, even just in
the two and a half years being a, theman of the home and being a husband.
I didn't realize how much I used to worryabout my family and my wife with the
(05:42):
kids actually going out, until I got herebecause I remember very similar scenario.
And when we were here within the firstyear and Amy said, no, she's, and it
was dark already outside, so I can'tremember if it was winter whenever,
but it was dark already outside.
And she said, no, she's gonnago for a walk around the
neighborhood with the kids.
Alone without me.
And I was like, Ooh, Idon't know about that love.
(06:04):
I, I don't know if I would usuallyback home and then I thought, no,
you gotta change your mindset.
This, it's a different country.
It is safe out here.
so a hundred percent relateswith you on that one.
I'm not saying New Zealand is perfect.
Okay.
they're problems here.
I know there are problems, theyalways are, but it's almost like
you fill two bags with the problems.
Okay.
And you have to choosewhich bag is heavier.
(06:24):
Which one?
I think the bag here is lighter andthat's why I'm grateful to be here.
And I think it's wonderfulopportunities for the kids and
they adapt a hell of a lot better.
That's it.
You came across with your kids you saidwere one and three, so they, it's nine
years now, so they're doing well, I assume
exceptionally well.
Okay.
Both of them are absolutely thriving.
Yeah.
Beautiful boys and yeah.
Just the way they do it.
(06:45):
the schooling system hasa little bit different.
Yeah.
Yeah.
The way that they are, they'rebeing taught and it's just
phenomenal how they've grown.
I don't know.
It's, the first kids that haveseen how they develop, but just
how they think about things Yeah.
And how they do things.
Yeah.
It's just phenomenal about howthey do put kids first, and even if
you're going around the differentpocket parks, they're them here.
The he got, and for the younger kids, the,they bold society around the younger kids
(07:09):
and give them things, all the differententertainment and things for them.
It's phenomenal.
They're thriving, they'rehaving a really good time.
Yeah, I've seen the same thing.
It was one of the things I've commentedon a lot is about the parks and there's
so many parks around for the kids.
and you're right, they really doeverything focused on the children really.
It is a place where bringing upchildren I believe is wonderful.
It really, is awesome.
(07:30):
I almost compare it to, geez, now I'mshowing my age is when you were in
the eighties back in South Africa.
It felt like that, where, youknow that's how I could relate it.
To see the kids runningaround and being so free.
I've joked about it on manypodcasts already, and I, my son,
he probably, oh, dad, again, everytime I drive into school, it blows
my mind seeing these little kids.
When I say little kids, I'm talkinglike six year olds, seven year olds,
(07:52):
and they're riding on bicycles or ona little push scooter or whatever, and
taking themselves off to school, crossingthe, traffic lights and every I. I
cannot believe they're alone doing this.
This is awesome.
So it's great to see itreally, is good for the kids.
And I'm not saying immigration is easy.
It is tough.
Everybody's got their story and it canbe tough getting here, that's for sure.
But I think it's well worth it if youpush on through and show that grit,
(08:14):
like what you've done nine yearslater, and we'll get into your story
now and what we are busy doing now.
It's definitely worth it for the kids.
So maybe with that, John, I'm gonna ask.
the whole point that, I've asked you tocome through and you've agreed to, share
is to share your story is particularlyaround a very difficult conversation.
And I must tell you, I'm honoredto be able to chat to you about
this and I respect you a hell of alot for being able to share this.
(08:37):
but I know that the whole reason I dothese podcasts is for people to learn
from us immigrants and to do learnfrom us, make it easier for them.
That's the whole reasonI've started soft landing.
I really appreciate howthat's resonated with you.
And you said no, you're willing to shareyour story so they can learn from you.
getting into that, you were gonnashare about your story, how you had
(08:58):
A-A-D-U-I, a couple of years backhere in New Zealand and how that
affected you, your family, et cetera.
So I'm gonna be quiet and I'm gonnagive you a chance to share your story
because I think it's a huge topic that isextremely valuable people to learn from.
So
no, cheers.
Thanks.
and.
(09:18):
I can remember, we were here witha couple of good old friends.
They used to be family friendswith, my wife's family.
And, we were chatting andtheir son had also got a DUI.
Yeah.
And he tried to warn us.
He said, be careful.
I've only got my citizenship now.
And it's been a couple of yearsand it's absolutely terrible.
(09:41):
And, then.
didn't actually listen to him at all anddidn't heed what he was trying to say.
So I mean that, that'sfrom my side as well.
there's always, you live with regretand when you do things, but the
severity and they say seven years,bad luck when you break a mirror.
This has been affected and myseven year, sentence is finishing
(10:06):
up in next year, December.
We'll talk through that.
Yeah.
So what happened was, started gettingvery active with, one of the, the
clubs used to do martial arts.
Yeah.
And it was the first year round and.
went to a, their Christmas party.
Yeah.
Now, the nightlife in, Aucklandvery different because what they
(10:28):
do is they're very strict with, youhave to have as a restaurant, got a
couple of mates also in restaurants.
Yeah.
Yeah.
They only have license for liquorlicenses for specific times.
Oh yeah.
Okay.
And their times, they usuallyfinish just after 12, not, a
hundred percent sure of the time.
Yeah.
So they've gotta close there.
If they get caught sellingalcohol after there.
License is done, they're get into trouble.
(10:48):
Okay.
So anyway, if you're driving, theyalways say two drinks, no more.
It's 250, whatever themeasurement is of, blood.
So it's literally two drinks,which puts you at about two 40.
Yeah.
And I can remember I was like,okay, my two drink limit.
That's it.
Yeah.
Got there drinking a coupleof sodas and things like that.
Had a beer and then it was gettingjust before 12 ordered another one.
(11:10):
But and that's the thing inNew Zealand, the craft beer.
Per capita, it's the biggestamount of, breweries and different
craft beers that you can get.
Phenomenal.
Yeah, it's absolutely brilliant.
Also, brewed my ownbeer, did my own, yeah.
Spirits and all.
That's phenomenal.
The, access that you getis absolutely brilliant.
tried one of these double IPAs that,and I only realized afterwards.
(11:33):
8%.
Oh wow.
Okay.
And had a pint of that.
Yeah, it was absolutely delicious.
Yeah, it was insane.
But one of those 4.2 Yeah.
Standard, drinks.
And what happened, they called lastcall and all the mates were like, ah,
let's go have another one quickly,which was about 20 minutes after that.
So I had two.
Very quick drinks.
(11:54):
And one of the things I can stillremember, and this is one of the
things that always listen to yourwife, that's one of the takeaways
I've got is, she said to me beforeI left, have something to eat.
Get something to, and I can remembergetting to the, little pub that we
were, celebrating the year there.
And the food was very expensive.
(12:14):
Yeah.
it was 35 bucks for a burger and chips,so it was like, oh man, not gonna do it.
Yeah.
I'm not gonna do it.
And I can storm, rememberthe empty stomach.
So they compounded it andit was we saying goodbye.
And some old guys, a lotof them took an Uber.
The guys that didn't drink drove,but I was like, Hey, I feel fine.
Yeah.
I'm okay.
Yeah.
Feel good.
Got into the car.
(12:35):
And, started driving, went ontothe motor motorway, on ramp.
I think they called it a highwayin South Africa, if I recall.
Yes, Took me a royalty inall these New Zealand risens.
Becoming a qe.
And I can remember, I could seeon the, there were lights Yeah.
On the, on ramp.
(12:55):
And I was like, oh, okay.
And I can remember it wasrunning through my mind.
I was like, ah, reverse stop.
Go the other way.
Do not go down here.
I was like, Hey, I've only had, Ihad one drink early in the evening.
Yeah.
And two drinks, I'll be fine.
Yeah, no problem.
And I think that's thekind of mentality you have.
Yeah.
Ah, it's, and you don't realizehow serious it is and stopped.
(13:19):
Blue and if you blow overtwo 50, then you get a fine.
If you blow over 400,things get very, serious.
Really?
Okay.
When I, blew, it was over 600.
Oh, okay.
And that's what two drinks do.
But the, little device they, catch youon only tells you if you're over 2, 2 50.
(13:39):
Then what they do is they.
Pull you out of yourcar, you park your car.
Yeah.
You go through and you doanother test, which brings out,
it's a lot more complicated.
Put that, and they said, listen, you'veblown over 400, 400 is very serious.
You get immediate license suspension.
And, they, so they take away yourlicense and they said, you're
(14:02):
gonna have a date in court.
And, That over 600, it gets very, serious.
You're looking at a conviction.
I think over 400 are conon conviction as on you.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So it was very scary.
A lot happening.
first off, all of that chuckedon, I, my blood just ran cold.
And they were telling you this, thatnight when you were pulled over on the
(14:23):
side of the road doing all these tests
right there.
Jeez.
So it's okay.
And they said they gave an option.
They said, listen, you've got a choice.
You can either leave your car here,which is on, ramp, or we can drive
you to the closest, petrol station.
I was like, no closestpetrol station, please.
'cause I don't wanna leave the car there.
'cause I was like, oh, it'sgonna be an inconvenience.
Yeah.
For my wife to come pickup the car in the morning.
(14:45):
It's fine.
So they drove and I can rememberthough, the officer jumped in, drove,
then I found my wife and I said,Hey listen, this has just happened.
And she's oh no.
And I said, I blew over 400.
And she's I'll come pick you up.
I'm like, Hey, don't worry about it.
I'll, I'll grab an Uber and one of thereasons why I didn't grab an Uber at
(15:07):
the pub was you're looking at $70 foran Uber, because all the transport at
that time stopped at 11:00 PM Sure.
So the only, transport thatyou could get was an Uber or
at Cab or something like that.
so it was very expensive.
So $70 a lot.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So anyway, I called theUber through, got home.
(15:29):
I grabbed a quick sleepabout two, three hours.
And I remember my wife, waking me upand she goes, and she's this is serious.
I'm like, what do you mean?
And she said, have a look here.
This is what happens if you get convicted.
Because we had on in September of2019, we'd actually just gotten
(15:51):
our residency visa afterwards.
Not a very soft landingto get the residency.
Because if you've got the 19th ofSeptember and then within two years
of your, of receiving your residency,you've got restrictions on travel.
yes.
So if you do anything with the, withinthose two years, it's very sensitive.
Anything goes wrong there, then you couldlearn, lose your permanent residency.
(16:17):
Yeah.
Yeah.
within that time, this happenedin November, so September.
Got it.
on.
September 11th, funnily enough, and endof November this happened, then got popped
into court on, December, early December.
Pulled in.
I immediately went to get a lawyer.
(16:38):
Saw what was happening.
Got an unusual lawyerjust for the drunk charge.
Also went and saw animmigration lawyer, Aaron Moore.
Phenomenal, guy.
Absolutely brilliant.
Cannot recommend him enough.
Yeah.
And that was on theimmigration lawyer side.
Yeah.
Went to the court,found guilty, $600 fine.
six months suspension of license.
(17:00):
the worst thing.
Was that a conviction on my record?
So my record, now has a conviction.
Yeah.
Status on it.
And yeah, that's
basically, so this is within thattwo year period that you now on
a residency, but we're waitingfor your permanent residency.
Correct.
So now it could potentially beaffecting that, but over and above
(17:22):
the, and you'll talk through that more.
I'm also trying to understand you,you said they took your license away.
Took the license immediately, so you can't
drive.
So you are also now reliant on your wifeto drive you around or public transport.
that's the thing with, withbeing suspended for six months,
that's, the most terrible thing.
And I'm the kind of guyslike trying to watch wigs.
We were went on holiday.
(17:43):
Yeah.
Not being allowed to drive.
Having the, misses drivewas very difficult for me.
Yeah.
And also a lot of pressure for her.
So six months couldn't, got taken away.
And, the kind of business work that Iwas in, I needed to go and see clients.
So it was very difficult.
And the only way that, youcould get, you get a, you get
a temporary driver's license.
(18:03):
A restricted driver's license.
Yeah.
Which they call, which youhave to apply for court.
You need to get your, and Igot my boss to actually, write.
A, write an affidavit for mesaying, look, this is what need,
this is what needs to happen.
He needs a car to be able to driveduring the week to be able to get there.
Also to see clients anddo what I need to do.
(18:27):
so got that in that cost.
Also a substantial amount.
Got that in after two months, managed to.
Drive again, but only managed to drive theboys to school and back very restricted
was from 7:30 AM in the morning.
I was only allowed to drive.
Yeah.
up to, it was 6:00 PM at night.
Oh, wow.
Okay.
So I was only allowed to drive then.
(18:48):
Yeah.
Had to keep a log book of every singletime I drove, had to write down exactly
what it was, had to be for work.
If there was any time that anybody wasnext to me with a driver's license.
Being the same way they had to drive.
Wow.
Okay.
So it's very difficult.
But I can still remember waiting forthe bus system, the public transport
is phenomenal in New Zealand.
(19:09):
Everywhere.
It's got every half anhour, it's got a, yeah.
a bus going off ferry.
It's, absolutely phenomenalthe way they do it.
But I can remember sitting there, alwaysbeing the guy, being in control, having
this taken away from me sitting therein the bus, taking an hour to work.
Usually took me 15 minutes, my car.
Yeah.
And just sitting there rattlingalong, having that, feeling of
(19:31):
guilt of having let everybody down.
Yeah.
And all of that drivingalong was very difficult.
but that passed after six months.
Managed to get the license back.
Yeah.
And, In that time, one of the things,and this, is what you don't realize is
because you've got, you're not a permanentresident that, this is what immigration
(19:55):
lawyer helped with was they, if you'reapplying for permanent residency, they
go, listen, you've got a conviction,and as part of your residency visa,
you need to stay clear of convictions.
So I got a letter sayingthat, look, you haven't.
Abided by the rules of what?
The stipulation that'sstipulated in your visa.
(20:18):
We are going to deport you.
Oh geez.
We don't want you.
So they gave you a letter.
You actually got a letterthat said letter of
deportation that said, becauseof this conviction that you
got, we are going to deport you
and your whole family.
it just said myself for you for now.
Okay.
Just for me.
and that's where, it,it got very difficult.
(20:39):
That's where it really hit home.
And before that it was, looking on Googleor that I saw it was, facing a three
month imprisonment shit, potentially.
Yeah.
And there's, a lot of horror storiesthey read about and that's why
lawyered up very quickly on both theimmigration side and all of that.
It ended up costing me $14,000.
(21:01):
Holy amazing.
Just in
fees with everything that going on.
Yeah.
The temporary license and, withthe lawyer's fees and all of that.
And you also learn who your friends are.
Yeah.
That, at the time when you'regoing through something like this.
I can remember I had gone into areally nice group of friends and.
They disappeared very quickly.
Yeah.
Only had, one or two peoplethat were really good to me.
(21:24):
Yeah.
I can still remember were greatthat helped out, but you really
learn who your friends are.
Yeah.
Yeah.
But it was facing deportation and,it's, really scary because, you've,
we came, we sold everything up.
Yeah.
Managed to, get a job and being facingthat, of having the possibility of being
(21:44):
deported like an absolute criminal.
of which hands up, I did do it.
Shouldn't have done it.
Yeah.
it was very scary.
It was very daunting.
And so I got the, immigration lawyerand, what you need to do is you need
to put an application through, and itended up being, I think, an 18 page
document where they ask questionsand you have to say, look why you
(22:08):
shouldn't be deported and put through.
You need to show that youare, that you're of value.
To New Zealand and at the time Iwas busy studying for my degree.
Yeah.
Which, trying to get it, trying tobetter myself in my trade degree.
'cause that's what New Zealand's gotsome great institutes that you can
actually study and they help you.
And if you are a resident youactually pay a lot less fees Yeah.
(22:31):
To study.
So it's absolutely brilliant andall of that, have to put it in, put
in the application and, they cameback and they said, look, we are.
Not gonna deport you.
but we are also not gonna takeaway the deportation notice.
We are gonna put it on pausespause, meaning three years.
We gonna put it on years.
(22:52):
So anything you stuff up, anythingat all that you're gonna get pulled,
you're gonna get instant deportation.
So what did that mean?
You now remain a resident, but you can'tapply for your permanent residency.
They're pushing it out.
Correct.
For a longer period.
So now you had to wait anotherthree years and prove in that three
years that you're gonna be clean.
No, no issues at the end of it.
(23:13):
Okay.
And also,
you gotta remember that because of therestrictions on the, when you, become a
resident, if you leave New Zealand aftera certain time, you can't come back.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So that meant that I wouldn'tbe able to get out of New
Zealand at all during that time.
So very much.
Locked down, not, able to do anything.
(23:35):
And then,
from that, so you've got thismonkey on your back saying, listen,
you're not allowed to, if you messup anything, it's gonna be crazy.
And since then, coming from South Africa,a lot of people I'm sure can relate.
you'll go out and have a couple of beersand you are all good and come back.
used to, used to have beers and drive.
(23:57):
that, that was the culture back.
Back in the day.
Yeah.
10 years ago used to do it.
And, one of the things that it didfor me was I never, once, I think
there was on two occasions overthe last nine years that, I had one
drink and drove otherwise, never.
Ever.
Yeah.
And subsequently last, 18months don't drink at all.
(24:18):
Awesome.
John, for other reasons, which is great.
But yeah, so the, time, Got the,when the notice was, everything got
put on pause with the residency.
Then, we put in another applicationfor the deportation notice and
said, listen, it's, been time.
Yeah.
And, could we please,have a look at it again?
(24:39):
Yeah.
And, they said, okay, afterfurther reviewing, we're
gonna remove the deportation
notice.
How long did you have to wait beforeyou could put in and submit to get that?
That was three years.
So you had to wait the fullthree years before you could even
submit to get that taken away.
That's right.
So you have that black cloudover your head and worry for
that extra three year period.
That's right, John.
That's tough, man.
(25:00):
And I can only imagine, I and I,know I'm getting a bit personal
here, but you and your wife and thekids, how did that affect, did it
affect you guys in any sort of way?
That must have been tough.
It's hard enough immigrating,man, as a married couple and
everything you have to deal with.
But this on top of it, I can only imagine.
Oh, I, can tell you it's.
being, having dropped everythingand it is, it's, you say goodbye
(25:25):
to your old life and Yeah.
You get reborn.
Yeah.
Here in New Zealand the amount ofguilt of knowing how badly you have
stuffed up and put your whole familyat risk all on your shoulders.
It's, I. Literally forthree years, I didn't sleep.
(25:49):
It's the, guilt that you feelof, something you've done.
It's, I, can't describe it.
Yeah.
Sleepless nights.
I, didn't sleep.
I beat myself up considerably.
it's one of the most horrible feelingsbecause you've just, it's, you've
let everybody down in the family.
(26:10):
And that guilt has just, it stillsits with me a little bit today.
I can't describe it.
It's, you feel terrible.
You feel worthless.
it's, terrible.
I can't describe it.
It's you, just go throughso many different emotions.
Yeah.
The first couple ofdays was, just shocking.
(26:34):
The, wife.
Upset in tears saying, look, we're gonnalose you, you're gonna get deported.
you are, it's a chance of you beingput into prison for three months.
What do we do?
Yeah.
And I can remember seeing one of, oneof the people that I thought was one
of my best friends, I can remembergoing through to them and saying,
Hey, listen mate, there's a chance I'mgonna get put into prison for this.
(26:59):
I would, I'm worried about.
My boy and my wife, would you beable to, he, lived quite close.
Would you be able to, watchout for them at least?
And, he didn't gimme much confidence.
Yeah.
Yeah.
We'll check in the now again.
Sure.
And it's just, having that out ofcontrol, knowing that you could lose the
family just for the three months, butbeing deported and, what do you do then?
(27:23):
Yeah.
Because the reason why we left SouthAfrica was to get away from all of that.
Yeah.
Having to go back.
Again, getting kicked out like that.
Yeah.
Having the, shame Yeah.
Of having all of that and knowingthat you're done wrong for the
most expensive two beers thatyou've ever had in your life.
Yes.
That were, good beers.
(27:43):
That were good beers.
Worth it.
100%. Not at all, but verydifficult to deal with.
Exceptionally difficult, and I, can tellyou, it's, it did not go well mentally.
I struggled.
Yeah.
I really struggled.
Did a lot of.
Martial arts.
yeah.
And the guys there were phenomenal.
They helped me through a very dark time.
(28:05):
Yeah.
And I think those guys, Ican't thank them enough.
They, really got me through.
I can remember that.
It's in order to get to the, dojo.
Yeah.
Used to have to, take a bus becauseI was only allowed to drive.
Yeah.
Certain ways.
I used to have to.
Stop on the way, walk from, catcha, bus from, from work all the way.
(28:29):
Used to take about an hour and20 minutes just to get there.
Used to train.
Yeah.
And then some days would actually,have to catch the ferry across,
catch up the car later on.
Had to catch the bus inthe mornings just to do it.
But I can tell you therewas no escape Yeah.
To do it.
but one of the good things that it did.
Help was actually joined up with amental health men's, men's group.
(28:53):
Yeah.
And, managed to help outa lot of people there.
And also, one of the suicide groups.
Yeah.
that, and because I could, feel a lot.
Yeah.
About what was going and how Ifelt, how things had affected me.
Yeah.
And, managed to tell my story.
Yeah.
Around there.
But it was tough.
I can't tell you it's, youdon't realize that it's, one of
(29:15):
those little things that you do.
It's just a beer man.
Yeah.
And it was such a, just
a beer.
it's amazing.
One little decision canaffect your life so much.
it's tough.
It's really tough.
And I can't believe whatyou had to go through.
It's And the sad thing that I'malso hearing is the friends that
you said it shows who your realfriends are and it's bad enough.
(29:35):
You've got that own guiltyourself, that you've let your own
family down, but now it's also.
those, people that judge you.
And that's tough.
That's really, tough for everythingyou've had to go through.
and knowing you and the type ofguy that you are, this is not
for people that are listening.
I've known you since schooland everything like that.
If there's anybody that's more drivenand there's anybody that's more
(29:56):
dependable and there's anybody that Iknow will be there for you, it's you.
That's, you are one of those solidguys, so it's just so crappy that
you had to go through all of this.
It's sounding there's a lot that you'vereally grown and learned from all of this.
and maybe you can continue where youare today and where it's taken you.
Sure.
(30:16):
even more.
And this is why it wasn't just thosethree year wait and this is why it is.
And that's, why I saidseven years of bad luck.
it was after the deportationnotice got, canceled.
We wanted to apply forpermanent residency now.
Yeah.
And go, look, remove the restrictions.
Yeah.
Become permanent residents.
Yeah.
And I said, sorry, you can't, you gota conviction if you want to apply.
(30:41):
You need to have fiveyears without a conviction.
Oh, geez.
Now that'll make you wait even longer.
Even longer.
So I had to wait five years, fromwhen I was, so it was from 2019.
Yeah.
Had to wait five years.
And after that managedto eventually apply.
Yeah.
And we actually got it atthe beginning of this year.
(31:01):
Just, we got that permanent residency, sowe were able to travel again, which is,
if there's anybody that's showinggrit, it's your showing grit.
So for those people that arecoming across here, I promise you,
I know we all got our own story.
you're proving you just don't give up.
You just keep going.
Just keep on
and you got to Yeah,but it just hasn't left.
went to business forAustralia three weeks ago.
(31:25):
Yeah.
And it was the first time I'd.
Traveled again, and I,found a phenomenal company.
Now I'm working with theguys are just next level.
Awesome.
Went across and I can remember arriving inAustralia, it was South African passport.
I'm like, yeah, I canstill travel, don't care.
Yeah.
Got up to immigration.
And in the form you had to enter,have you had any convictions?
(31:48):
Oh, geez.
Yeah.
So I had to stick, yes.
Yeah.
And a lot of people around and got there.
Remember the lady's name was Heidi,which was my grandmother, which we
getting get into a, second as well.
and she said, oh, you got a conviction?
Yep.
She's wait here.
(32:09):
So she goes off and goes off, to theside and I'm like, what's going on?
Yeah, follow this guyand not very friendly.
I was like, oh, okay.
Got pulled aside in front ofeverybody, marched across and they
said, oh, you got a conviction.
Did you declare it like I did whenI did my visa and got paraded there?
(32:32):
Stood in front.
Okay, that's fine.
You can go.
still hos, but the biggest thing forme is because I've got a conviction.
You get something in NewZealand called a clean slate.
Yeah.
After seven years that, you get differentdegrees of people that can actually see
your record with the Ministry of Justice.
(32:53):
Okay.
After seven years you can get a cleanslate, which gets put behind a wall.
You don't need to whenyou're applying for jobs.
Okay.
need to say that you've got a conviction.
I don't even think
of that.
Yeah.
And the kind of line of work that I'mmeant, don't wanna get too much, can't
really say too much about it, but, Ineed to be, approved for certain levels
of access and having a convictionthat, does not allow me to be able
(33:16):
to get that access and anything.
Joining the police.
Yeah, joining the defense Force.
Anything like that.
Anything that, that's still on your back.
So it's, that one, one bad.
Mistake that kind of haunts you.
Yeah.
For seven years.
And, besides all of that, the one,one of the worst things that happened
(33:39):
to me was that, that, that reallygot me was, whilst we were at the
permanent residency, we were waiting.
So we still had travel restrictions andwe only got it in January, this year,
in December, my dad suddenly died.
(33:59):
He had a clot that went up, I thinkone day to the next, and he was gone.
Sorry, man.
And, my brothers flew down to my mum.
Yeah.
After that I couldn't, you couldn't go?
Couldn't go because I was tied down.
Yeah.
(34:19):
And, that was difficult.
There was, that was exceptionallydifficult because, Being the eldest.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Very difficult not beingable to give support.
Yeah.
And, a few weeks later, mygrandmother passed as well.
Oh.
And, with the passports not being there.
(34:39):
Yeah.
Oh, couldn't go either.
So she didn't want to have afuneral or anything like that, so
it was okay, but very, difficult.
Yeah.
Yeah.
just the, the.
sins have passed.
Yeah.
that, really catches up andyou don't think about it.
No.
You don't think about it.
You think, Hey, havinga good time, it's fine.
(35:00):
I'll be okay.
But it has been one of the toughestlessons, on my family, which
makes it very difficult for me.
Yeah.
For them.
And I, just appreciate them so much.
How, especially my wife, how.
She had to also go through those emotions.
Yeah.
Of everything that I wentand, she was supportive.
(35:25):
She was great.
Absolutely brilliant.
just having to mentally push throughthat is, it was, I can't describe how
difficult it was and I'm just veryfortunate next year the whole, all the
dark past is done, but it has been.
Exceptionally difficult, but thereare, there's silver, the linings.
(35:48):
Yeah.
I, can tell you now not, notdrinking for the last 18 months.
Everything I've been through,which is I haven't been happy.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I've been great.
I've got, you, you learn who yourfriends are and your people are.
You, appreciate everything that you'vegot, how quickly things can be taken away.
You think twice about things and.
(36:09):
I would just be so careful with anything.
Anything that you do, especially thosetwo years that you are waiting for
your residency, permanent residency.
Be very careful.
Yeah.
'cause things can get scaryvery quickly and scary fast.
Yeah.
From one day to the next, you canbe king of the world next day.
(36:30):
You're not
sure.
I really appreciate you sharing this.
This is, it's like I, Ihaven't even heard your story.
I didn't want, as I said to youdownstairs before we started
is No, I'll hear it shortly.
So I'm even hearing it firsthandas well, and it's Sure.
I can't believe.
The journey you've had to go through.
(36:50):
it's incredible.
one thing I can tell you is we bothgot very strong women, that's for sure.
So I'm very grateful for my wife too.
And your wife, exceptionally grateful.
Awesome.
I wouldn't have been able to do it.
I wouldn't be here today without her.
Oh, look, I have no doubt.
You've obviously.
You're a lot stronger personfor everything that you've
gone through, that's for sure.
And, you'll appreciated that much more.
(37:15):
I know I can't a hundred percent compare,but one of the things, that I've had
cancer before and that was a, big.
Change in my life that's made me rethinkhow and what was important to me.
And it's, almost like thishas happened to you as well.
It's made you rethink what's important andreassessing that 100% family is important.
Making memories is important.
(37:36):
really starting to thinkabout, I don't know what you
should be focusing on in life.
May maybe ending off there is askingyou, telling the audience what
are some things that you, think.
They need to learn from this.
What if you had to give a top threethings, for example, what would
you wanna give them as a message?
(37:57):
Top three?
putting you on the spot here, but
No, that's, it's, good becauseit's been such a big journey.
there are actually so many differentones that, that you realize.
I think the top threes probably say isdon't drink and drive in New Zealand.
It, can change.
In an instance, you're playing roulette.
(38:17):
Russian roulette with a do not do it.
Rather pay the $70 or the $40 toUber and not drive it is not worth.
It's not worth it.
Yeah, 100%.
And then secondly, if you do gethit with something like, or like
this DUI or any kind of trauma, makesure that you find a strong group of
(38:40):
people to help you get through that.
Because I know that without my,guys at, the martial arts, yeah,
without them I wouldn't have beenable to do it with, without, my wife
wouldn't have been able to do it.
Make sure that you get areally strong group of people.
And they're just a general one, oneof one of the big lessons that I've
(39:02):
learned from being here in New Zealandand it's it's one of the things you,
realize when you're not drinking ishow much money you actually save is.
And I love that podcast that you did.
It's actually being here for nineyears actually learned a lot from what
you did was you expenses, be careful.
You come here with your pockets fullof your pension and all of that.
(39:23):
Be very careful how you spendyour money that disappears.
Very quickly.
Yeah.
I can still remember when we landed here,the stress, the complete and utter trauma
of changing countries and all of that.
The first six months wedrunk every single night.
Yeah.
And that was expansive and wefelt it and it was difficult.
(39:44):
Be very careful there.
Yeah, I reckon those,there're many others.
Yeah, I can tell.
But those three I reckon, be the top.
Don't drink and drive.
Find a good group of peopleeven if you don't have trauma
or anything, find good people.
It makes a difference.
Watch your money.
Awesome John.
And no, thank you for that.
And I, I probably, when I publishedthis podcast, maybe I'll share some
links for some of those organizationsthat you're referring to, because
(40:07):
I think, not just for, if you'regoing through trauma, like a DUI,
like you've shared with us today is.
Just immigrating in general.
We were chatting downstairs how yourmental wellbeing, this is a tough thing,
and not having a support structurearound you, it makes it 10 times harder.
So it, would be good to,to share more of those.
So if you don't mind, it wouldbe awesome to share that as well.
Happy to do that.
(40:27):
But really, Jono, thankyou for sharing your story.
It's, it's, wow, it's.
It's one hell of a story.
It really, is, and I'm so humbled andso I just respect you hell of a lot
for being able to be courageous enoughand brave enough to share this so
that other people can learn from you.
So thank you, Simon.
Thanks.
No, absolutely
pleasure.
And, thank you for what you're doing.
I know even now, after nine years that I'mtaking a lot of your journey, your hard
(40:51):
landing that you didn't actually stilllearning from it and really appreciate
what you're doing for everybody else.
Thanks'.
If I had somebody.
Like you, that would've shown me a littlebit more of the way before I got here.
It
would've been
much easier.
Oh, thanks Donna.
that's the whole purpose of this.
We are trying to help as many immigrantsas possible, that, learn from us.
We've all got our own stories and,sometimes you just don't get to
(41:14):
meet your people and sometimesit's too late to, you meet them and
you've already gone through so much.
So that's the whole purpose of this.
So thank you, Jono.
No, appreciate it.
really appreciate it.
Thank you.
So with that guys, I justwanna thank you so much, to.
everybody for, listening, especially thoseof you that have been listening regularly.
I really, appreciate it.
But if this is the first time that you'relistening to my podcast, I'd like to ask
(41:35):
you please go back to the first, episode.
I try share my journeyin chronological audio.
it also just gets you to know me a littlebit, and who I am and what my journey's
all about and why you should even listento some of the stuff that I'm sharing.
so please.
Do go back and listen to number one.
Otherwise, if you don't find my podcast inany of your platforms that you listen to
(41:56):
your podcast on, like iTunes or Spotify.
Find me on YouTube.
My YouTube channel is, soft Landingnz and you'll find all my content
that I put on there, not just mypodcast, but a whole lot of other
video tutorials like the one Jono wasreferring to about the cost of living.
I try to give as much content as possibleto help as many immigrants as possible
that come through to New Zealand.
(42:16):
I just want you guys to have asofter landing and learn from it.
So with that, guys, you must keep safe.
Until next time, cheers.
There are over 100,000 people whoimmigrate to New Zealand every year with
the intention to make New Zealand theirhome, leaving behind everything they
know as normal day-to-day life and havingto learn new ways of doing things, new
norms, new cultures, and different values.
There are many people who struggle withthis transition and find it challenging
(00:25):
to adjust and settle so they cancall and make New Zealand their home.
The purpose of this podcast is for meto share my journey and our challenges
with the hope that you can learn from meand my family and have a softer landing.
There will be good days and baddays, but with time, more good days.
I believe we have made theright choice for our family.
(00:46):
I want to try and help you do the same,but hopefully with a softer landing.
This is Soft Landing and Iam your host, Brett Colette.
Welcome to this podcast, designed foranyone thinking about preparing for, or
who has just immigrated to New Zealand.
Subscribe now so you never miss an episodedrawing from his personal experience.
(01:09):
This series will guide you throughthe process of preparing for your
move and helping you navigatethe challenges of immigration.
Hey everybody.
very grateful that you, guys aregonna join me again and listening
to another one of my podcasts.
I've been putting it out on socialmedia and letting you know that
(01:29):
I've got somebody joining me today.
I've got a good friend of mine, Jono.
He's joining me today for a, an interviewon my podcast, something that's new to me.
I've only.
Just interviewed my wife, on two podcasts,ago, so this is my second interview, so
bear with me while I'm learning, but I'mvery excited to have him join us today.
(01:50):
I'm gonna let him introducehimself so he'll, tell you who
he is and why he is joining me.
We'll get into all of that, but justso that it's a good friend of mine.
He actually, we went to schooltogether, so we've known each other
for many years and we are gettingold and creaky now in our old age.
We were just chatting alittle bit downstairs.
How when we're doing gym and doingdifferent things, now your body is
actually starting to give up on you.
So yeah, that's what happenswhen you get to middle age.
(02:10):
but yeah, I'm really honored and,grateful to have you join me, Jono.
and maybe that's where I'll,let you just introduce yourself.
Just let everybody knowwho you are and, yeah.
Let to know a little bit about yourself.
Yeah, likewise.
Thanks very much.
It's, been great to have continuedour journey together from
many, years ago in high school.
Yeah, it's been brilliant.
(02:31):
So I'm Jono.
I've been in New Zealand just over nineyears now and yeah, came to New Zealand.
wanted to get away from South Africa.
Used to be in the, media world.
Used to run up to the main newspapersin South Africa and used to get
a lot of behind the scenes Yeah.
Of what was happening.
(02:51):
And it got to a stage where itjust got a little bit scary.
Had young kids.
Yeah.
with a one and a 3-year-old anddecided that we needed to change.
And farm New Zealand had some reallygood friends that stayed here.
They convinced us after an evening whenthey came to visit in, South Africa
(03:14):
just the year before, and we decided to.
Move across.
Take the plunge, get a sell up everything.
Visit a Visa three months, bitethe bullet, apply it for over
350 jobs, made it over 230 phonecalls, and in three months time,
managed to land a fantastic job.
Oh,
brilliant.
And
that's how it
(03:34):
started.
Brilliant.
Everybody has their story.
I know we were mentioning a littlebit downstairs and we will get into
what the podcast is about shortly.
but just to chat about that a bit.
So nine years that you've beenhere, we've only been here two and
a half years and already it's beenone hell of a rollercoaster ride
and everybody has their story.
I didn't realize that you were actuallyso into the media and everything in
South Africa really, so you actuallyreally knew what was going on.
(03:57):
So it really makes sense why you would've.
Wanna consider leavingand coming to New Zealand?
Definitely.
we got to see a lot in the newsroom.
Yeah.
Got to see a lot of behind the scenesof stuff that we couldn't publish.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And it, was always, it was gruesome.
Okay.
A lot of things.
And there was a specific, one ofthe things that was shown that
was just, that just ended me.
(04:19):
Okay.
Couldn't, So that was a big
driver.
It was just to get the massive safetyfor your family and everything like that.
yeah.
It was, for the kids.
Yeah.
And we used to, I can remember they,they called it a dairy over here.
Yeah.
We called it a little shop orwhatever we used to call it.
I can't even remember.
I think it was Cafe.
A Cafe.
Cafe, yeah.
Yeah.
Three doors down fromwhere we used to stay.
(04:39):
Yeah.
And, wouldn't let my wife even walk down.
It just wasn't safe.
So yeah.
We wanted something a little bit, and wehave, we can genuinely say we've farmed
paradise and very, blessed to be here.
Yeah.
And it's safe.
Your kids can go runningaround and all the rest here.
Oh, it's, phenomenal.
I, can actually remember the first time,We were here, it was 9:00 PM at night and
my wife wanted to go to a yoga session.
(05:02):
Oh yeah.
At which was about a K walk down the road.
Yeah.
'cause here in New Zealand to getthe beautiful area we in, they got
big bra, board walks on the sidethat you can walk on very safely.
And she went off to yoga,walked 9:00 PM at night.
And I can remember that feeling.
It was like, Hey, I'm not worried.
Yeah.
I'm not stressed at all.
(05:22):
Yeah.
And it, that, that feelingwas just phenomenal.
Yeah.
Not having to worry or Yeah.
when you hear, you don't needto look over your shoulder.
Yeah.
It's a completely different mindand.
I think you've touched on somethingthat I've noticed a lot, even just in
the two and a half years being a, theman of the home and being a husband.
I didn't realize how much I used to worryabout my family and my wife with the
(05:42):
kids actually going out, until I got herebecause I remember very similar scenario.
And when we were here within the firstyear and Amy said, no, she's, and it
was dark already outside, so I can'tremember if it was winter whenever,
but it was dark already outside.
And she said, no, she's gonnago for a walk around the
neighborhood with the kids.
Alone without me.
And I was like, Ooh, Idon't know about that love.
(06:04):
I, I don't know if I would usuallyback home and then I thought, no,
you gotta change your mindset.
This, it's a different country.
It is safe out here.
so a hundred percent relateswith you on that one.
I'm not saying New Zealand is perfect.
Okay.
they're problems here.
I know there are problems, theyalways are, but it's almost like
you fill two bags with the problems.
Okay.
And you have to choosewhich bag is heavier.
(06:24):
Which one?
I think the bag here is lighter andthat's why I'm grateful to be here.
And I think it's wonderfulopportunities for the kids and
they adapt a hell of a lot better.
That's it.
You came across with your kids you saidwere one and three, so they, it's nine
years now, so they're doing well, I assume
exceptionally well.
Okay.
Both of them are absolutely thriving.
Yeah.
Beautiful boys and yeah.
Just the way they do it.
(06:45):
the schooling system hasa little bit different.
Yeah.
Yeah.
The way that they are, they'rebeing taught and it's just
phenomenal how they've grown.
I don't know.
It's, the first kids that haveseen how they develop, but just
how they think about things Yeah.
And how they do things.
Yeah.
It's just phenomenal about howthey do put kids first, and even if
you're going around the differentpocket parks, they're them here.
The he got, and for the younger kids, the,they bold society around the younger kids
(07:09):
and give them things, all the differententertainment and things for them.
It's phenomenal.
They're thriving, they'rehaving a really good time.
Yeah, I've seen the same thing.
It was one of the things I've commentedon a lot is about the parks and there's
so many parks around for the kids.
and you're right, they really doeverything focused on the children really.
It is a place where bringing upchildren I believe is wonderful.
It really, is awesome.
(07:30):
I almost compare it to, geez, now I'mshowing my age is when you were in
the eighties back in South Africa.
It felt like that, where, youknow that's how I could relate it.
To see the kids runningaround and being so free.
I've joked about it on manypodcasts already, and I, my son,
he probably, oh, dad, again, everytime I drive into school, it blows
my mind seeing these little kids.
When I say little kids, I'm talkinglike six year olds, seven year olds,
(07:52):
and they're riding on bicycles or ona little push scooter or whatever, and
taking themselves off to school, crossingthe, traffic lights and every I. I
cannot believe they're alone doing this.
This is awesome.
So it's great to see itreally, is good for the kids.
And I'm not saying immigration is easy.
It is tough.
Everybody's got their story and it canbe tough getting here, that's for sure.
But I think it's well worth it if youpush on through and show that grit,
(08:14):
like what you've done nine yearslater, and we'll get into your story
now and what we are busy doing now.
It's definitely worth it for the kids.
So maybe with that, John, I'm gonna ask.
the whole point that, I've asked you tocome through and you've agreed to, share
is to share your story is particularlyaround a very difficult conversation.
And I must tell you, I'm honoredto be able to chat to you about
this and I respect you a hell of alot for being able to share this.
(08:37):
but I know that the whole reason I dothese podcasts is for people to learn
from us immigrants and to do learnfrom us, make it easier for them.
That's the whole reasonI've started soft landing.
I really appreciate howthat's resonated with you.
And you said no, you're willing to shareyour story so they can learn from you.
getting into that, you were gonnashare about your story, how you had
(08:58):
A-A-D-U-I, a couple of years backhere in New Zealand and how that
affected you, your family, et cetera.
So I'm gonna be quiet and I'm gonnagive you a chance to share your story
because I think it's a huge topic that isextremely valuable people to learn from.
So
no, cheers.
Thanks.
and.
(09:18):
I can remember, we were here witha couple of good old friends.
They used to be family friendswith, my wife's family.
And, we were chatting andtheir son had also got a DUI.
Yeah.
And he tried to warn us.
He said, be careful.
I've only got my citizenship now.
And it's been a couple of yearsand it's absolutely terrible.
(09:41):
And, then.
didn't actually listen to him at all anddidn't heed what he was trying to say.
So I mean that, that'sfrom my side as well.
there's always, you live with regretand when you do things, but the
severity and they say seven years,bad luck when you break a mirror.
This has been affected and myseven year, sentence is finishing
(10:06):
up in next year, December.
We'll talk through that.
Yeah.
So what happened was, started gettingvery active with, one of the, the
clubs used to do martial arts.
Yeah.
And it was the first year round and.
went to a, their Christmas party.
Yeah.
Now, the nightlife in, Aucklandvery different because what they
(10:28):
do is they're very strict with, youhave to have as a restaurant, got a
couple of mates also in restaurants.
Yeah.
Yeah.
They only have license for liquorlicenses for specific times.
Oh yeah.
Okay.
And their times, they usuallyfinish just after 12, not, a
hundred percent sure of the time.
Yeah.
So they've gotta close there.
If they get caught sellingalcohol after there.
License is done, they're get into trouble.
(10:48):
Okay.
So anyway, if you're driving, theyalways say two drinks, no more.
It's 250, whatever themeasurement is of, blood.
So it's literally two drinks,which puts you at about two 40.
Yeah.
And I can remember I was like,okay, my two drink limit.
That's it.
Yeah.
Got there drinking a coupleof sodas and things like that.
Had a beer and then it was gettingjust before 12 ordered another one.
(11:10):
But and that's the thing inNew Zealand, the craft beer.
Per capita, it's the biggestamount of, breweries and different
craft beers that you can get.
Phenomenal.
Yeah, it's absolutely brilliant.
Also, brewed my ownbeer, did my own, yeah.
Spirits and all.
That's phenomenal.
The, access that you getis absolutely brilliant.
tried one of these double IPAs that,and I only realized afterwards.
(11:33):
8%.
Oh wow.
Okay.
And had a pint of that.
Yeah, it was absolutely delicious.
Yeah, it was insane.
But one of those 4.2 Yeah.
Standard, drinks.
And what happened, they called lastcall and all the mates were like, ah,
let's go have another one quickly,which was about 20 minutes after that.
So I had two.
Very quick drinks.
(11:54):
And one of the things I can stillremember, and this is one of the
things that always listen to yourwife, that's one of the takeaways
I've got is, she said to me beforeI left, have something to eat.
Get something to, and I can remembergetting to the, little pub that we
were, celebrating the year there.
And the food was very expensive.
(12:14):
Yeah.
it was 35 bucks for a burger and chips,so it was like, oh man, not gonna do it.
Yeah.
I'm not gonna do it.
And I can storm, rememberthe empty stomach.
So they compounded it andit was we saying goodbye.
And some old guys, a lotof them took an Uber.
The guys that didn't drink drove,but I was like, Hey, I feel fine.
Yeah.
I'm okay.
Yeah.
Feel good.
Got into the car.
(12:35):
And, started driving, went ontothe motor motorway, on ramp.
I think they called it a highwayin South Africa, if I recall.
Yes, Took me a royalty inall these New Zealand risens.
Becoming a qe.
And I can remember, I could seeon the, there were lights Yeah.
On the, on ramp.
(12:55):
And I was like, oh, okay.
And I can remember it wasrunning through my mind.
I was like, ah, reverse stop.
Go the other way.
Do not go down here.
I was like, Hey, I've only had, Ihad one drink early in the evening.
Yeah.
And two drinks, I'll be fine.
Yeah, no problem.
And I think that's thekind of mentality you have.
Yeah.
Ah, it's, and you don't realizehow serious it is and stopped.
(13:19):
Blue and if you blow overtwo 50, then you get a fine.
If you blow over 400,things get very, serious.
Really?
Okay.
When I, blew, it was over 600.
Oh, okay.
And that's what two drinks do.
But the, little device they, catch youon only tells you if you're over 2, 2 50.
(13:39):
Then what they do is they.
Pull you out of yourcar, you park your car.
Yeah.
You go through and you doanother test, which brings out,
it's a lot more complicated.
Put that, and they said, listen, you'veblown over 400, 400 is very serious.
You get immediate license suspension.
And, they, so they take away yourlicense and they said, you're
(14:02):
gonna have a date in court.
And, That over 600, it gets very, serious.
You're looking at a conviction.
I think over 400 are conon conviction as on you.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So it was very scary.
A lot happening.
first off, all of that chuckedon, I, my blood just ran cold.
And they were telling you this, thatnight when you were pulled over on the
(14:23):
side of the road doing all these tests
right there.
Jeez.
So it's okay.
And they said they gave an option.
They said, listen, you've got a choice.
You can either leave your car here,which is on, ramp, or we can drive
you to the closest, petrol station.
I was like, no closestpetrol station, please.
'cause I don't wanna leave the car there.
'cause I was like, oh, it'sgonna be an inconvenience.
Yeah.
For my wife to come pickup the car in the morning.
(14:45):
It's fine.
So they drove and I can rememberthough, the officer jumped in, drove,
then I found my wife and I said,Hey listen, this has just happened.
And she's oh no.
And I said, I blew over 400.
And she's I'll come pick you up.
I'm like, Hey, don't worry about it.
I'll, I'll grab an Uber and one of thereasons why I didn't grab an Uber at
(15:07):
the pub was you're looking at $70 foran Uber, because all the transport at
that time stopped at 11:00 PM Sure.
So the only, transport thatyou could get was an Uber or
at Cab or something like that.
so it was very expensive.
So $70 a lot.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So anyway, I called theUber through, got home.
(15:29):
I grabbed a quick sleepabout two, three hours.
And I remember my wife, waking me upand she goes, and she's this is serious.
I'm like, what do you mean?
And she said, have a look here.
This is what happens if you get convicted.
Because we had on in September of2019, we'd actually just gotten
(15:51):
our residency visa afterwards.
Not a very soft landingto get the residency.
Because if you've got the 19th ofSeptember and then within two years
of your, of receiving your residency,you've got restrictions on travel.
yes.
So if you do anything with the, withinthose two years, it's very sensitive.
Anything goes wrong there, then you couldlearn, lose your permanent residency.
(16:17):
Yeah.
Yeah.
within that time, this happenedin November, so September.
Got it.
on.
September 11th, funnily enough, and endof November this happened, then got popped
into court on, December, early December.
Pulled in.
I immediately went to get a lawyer.
(16:38):
Saw what was happening.
Got an unusual lawyerjust for the drunk charge.
Also went and saw animmigration lawyer, Aaron Moore.
Phenomenal, guy.
Absolutely brilliant.
Cannot recommend him enough.
Yeah.
And that was on theimmigration lawyer side.
Yeah.
Went to the court,found guilty, $600 fine.
six months suspension of license.
(17:00):
the worst thing.
Was that a conviction on my record?
So my record, now has a conviction.
Yeah.
Status on it.
And yeah, that's
basically, so this is within thattwo year period that you now on
a residency, but we're waitingfor your permanent residency.
Correct.
So now it could potentially beaffecting that, but over and above
(17:22):
the, and you'll talk through that more.
I'm also trying to understand you,you said they took your license away.
Took the license immediately, so you can't
drive.
So you are also now reliant on your wifeto drive you around or public transport.
that's the thing with, withbeing suspended for six months,
that's, the most terrible thing.
And I'm the kind of guyslike trying to watch wigs.
We were went on holiday.
(17:43):
Yeah.
Not being allowed to drive.
Having the, misses drivewas very difficult for me.
Yeah.
And also a lot of pressure for her.
So six months couldn't, got taken away.
And, the kind of business work that Iwas in, I needed to go and see clients.
So it was very difficult.
And the only way that, youcould get, you get a, you get
a temporary driver's license.
(18:03):
A restricted driver's license.
Yeah.
Which they call, which youhave to apply for court.
You need to get your, and Igot my boss to actually, write.
A, write an affidavit for mesaying, look, this is what need,
this is what needs to happen.
He needs a car to be able to driveduring the week to be able to get there.
Also to see clients anddo what I need to do.
(18:27):
so got that in that cost.
Also a substantial amount.
Got that in after two months, managed to.
Drive again, but only managed to drive theboys to school and back very restricted
was from 7:30 AM in the morning.
I was only allowed to drive.
Yeah.
up to, it was 6:00 PM at night.
Oh, wow.
Okay.
So I was only allowed to drive then.
(18:48):
Yeah.
Had to keep a log book of every singletime I drove, had to write down exactly
what it was, had to be for work.
If there was any time that anybody wasnext to me with a driver's license.
Being the same way they had to drive.
Wow.
Okay.
So it's very difficult.
But I can still remember waiting forthe bus system, the public transport
is phenomenal in New Zealand.
(19:09):
Everywhere.
It's got every half anhour, it's got a, yeah.
a bus going off ferry.
It's, absolutely phenomenalthe way they do it.
But I can remember sitting there, alwaysbeing the guy, being in control, having
this taken away from me sitting therein the bus, taking an hour to work.
Usually took me 15 minutes, my car.
Yeah.
And just sitting there rattlingalong, having that, feeling of
(19:31):
guilt of having let everybody down.
Yeah.
And all of that drivingalong was very difficult.
but that passed after six months.
Managed to get the license back.
Yeah.
And, In that time, one of the things,and this, is what you don't realize is
because you've got, you're not a permanentresident that, this is what immigration
(19:55):
lawyer helped with was they, if you'reapplying for permanent residency, they
go, listen, you've got a conviction,and as part of your residency visa,
you need to stay clear of convictions.
So I got a letter sayingthat, look, you haven't.
Abided by the rules of what?
The stipulation that'sstipulated in your visa.
(20:18):
We are going to deport you.
Oh geez.
We don't want you.
So they gave you a letter.
You actually got a letterthat said letter of
deportation that said, becauseof this conviction that you
got, we are going to deport you
and your whole family.
it just said myself for you for now.
Okay.
Just for me.
and that's where, it,it got very difficult.
(20:39):
That's where it really hit home.
And before that it was, looking on Googleor that I saw it was, facing a three
month imprisonment shit, potentially.
Yeah.
And there's, a lot of horror storiesthey read about and that's why
lawyered up very quickly on both theimmigration side and all of that.
It ended up costing me $14,000.
(21:01):
Holy amazing.
Just in
fees with everything that going on.
Yeah.
The temporary license and, withthe lawyer's fees and all of that.
And you also learn who your friends are.
Yeah.
That, at the time when you'regoing through something like this.
I can remember I had gone into areally nice group of friends and.
They disappeared very quickly.
Yeah.
Only had, one or two peoplethat were really good to me.
(21:24):
Yeah.
I can still remember were greatthat helped out, but you really
learn who your friends are.
Yeah.
Yeah.
But it was facing deportation and,it's, really scary because, you've,
we came, we sold everything up.
Yeah.
Managed to, get a job and being facingthat, of having the possibility of being
(21:44):
deported like an absolute criminal.
of which hands up, I did do it.
Shouldn't have done it.
Yeah.
it was very scary.
It was very daunting.
And so I got the, immigration lawyerand, what you need to do is you need
to put an application through, and itended up being, I think, an 18 page
document where they ask questionsand you have to say, look why you
(22:08):
shouldn't be deported and put through.
You need to show that youare, that you're of value.
To New Zealand and at the time Iwas busy studying for my degree.
Yeah.
Which, trying to get it, trying tobetter myself in my trade degree.
'cause that's what New Zealand's gotsome great institutes that you can
actually study and they help you.
And if you are a resident youactually pay a lot less fees Yeah.
(22:31):
To study.
So it's absolutely brilliant andall of that, have to put it in, put
in the application and, they cameback and they said, look, we are.
Not gonna deport you.
but we are also not gonna takeaway the deportation notice.
We are gonna put it on pausespause, meaning three years.
We gonna put it on years.
(22:52):
So anything you stuff up, anythingat all that you're gonna get pulled,
you're gonna get instant deportation.
So what did that mean?
You now remain a resident, but you can'tapply for your permanent residency.
They're pushing it out.
Correct.
For a longer period.
So now you had to wait anotherthree years and prove in that three
years that you're gonna be clean.
No, no issues at the end of it.
(23:13):
Okay.
And also,
you gotta remember that because of therestrictions on the, when you, become a
resident, if you leave New Zealand aftera certain time, you can't come back.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So that meant that I wouldn'tbe able to get out of New
Zealand at all during that time.
So very much.
Locked down, not, able to do anything.
(23:35):
And then,
from that, so you've got thismonkey on your back saying, listen,
you're not allowed to, if you messup anything, it's gonna be crazy.
And since then, coming from South Africa,a lot of people I'm sure can relate.
you'll go out and have a couple of beersand you are all good and come back.
used to, used to have beers and drive.
(23:57):
that, that was the culture back.
Back in the day.
Yeah.
10 years ago used to do it.
And, one of the things that it didfor me was I never, once, I think
there was on two occasions overthe last nine years that, I had one
drink and drove otherwise, never.
Ever.
Yeah.
And subsequently last, 18months don't drink at all.
(24:18):
Awesome.
John, for other reasons, which is great.
But yeah, so the, time, Got the,when the notice was, everything got
put on pause with the residency.
Then, we put in another applicationfor the deportation notice and
said, listen, it's, been time.
Yeah.
And, could we please,have a look at it again?
(24:39):
Yeah.
And, they said, okay, afterfurther reviewing, we're
gonna remove the deportation
notice.
How long did you have to wait beforeyou could put in and submit to get that?
That was three years.
So you had to wait the fullthree years before you could even
submit to get that taken away.
That's right.
So you have that black cloudover your head and worry for
that extra three year period.
That's right, John.
That's tough, man.
(25:00):
And I can only imagine, I and I,know I'm getting a bit personal
here, but you and your wife and thekids, how did that affect, did it
affect you guys in any sort of way?
That must have been tough.
It's hard enough immigrating,man, as a married couple and
everything you have to deal with.
But this on top of it, I can only imagine.
Oh, I, can tell you it's.
being, having dropped everythingand it is, it's, you say goodbye
(25:25):
to your old life and Yeah.
You get reborn.
Yeah.
Here in New Zealand the amount ofguilt of knowing how badly you have
stuffed up and put your whole familyat risk all on your shoulders.
It's, I. Literally forthree years, I didn't sleep.
(25:49):
It's the, guilt that you feelof, something you've done.
It's, I, can't describe it.
Yeah.
Sleepless nights.
I, didn't sleep.
I beat myself up considerably.
it's one of the most horrible feelingsbecause you've just, it's, you've
let everybody down in the family.
(26:10):
And that guilt has just, it stillsits with me a little bit today.
I can't describe it.
It's, you feel terrible.
You feel worthless.
it's, terrible.
I can't describe it.
It's you, just go throughso many different emotions.
Yeah.
The first couple ofdays was, just shocking.
(26:34):
The, wife.
Upset in tears saying, look, we're gonnalose you, you're gonna get deported.
you are, it's a chance of you beingput into prison for three months.
What do we do?
Yeah.
And I can remember seeing one of, oneof the people that I thought was one
of my best friends, I can remembergoing through to them and saying,
Hey, listen mate, there's a chance I'mgonna get put into prison for this.
(26:59):
I would, I'm worried about.
My boy and my wife, would you beable to, he, lived quite close.
Would you be able to, watchout for them at least?
And, he didn't gimme much confidence.
Yeah.
Yeah.
We'll check in the now again.
Sure.
And it's just, having that out ofcontrol, knowing that you could lose the
family just for the three months, butbeing deported and, what do you do then?
(27:23):
Yeah.
Because the reason why we left SouthAfrica was to get away from all of that.
Yeah.
Having to go back.
Again, getting kicked out like that.
Yeah.
Having the, shame Yeah.
Of having all of that and knowingthat you're done wrong for the
most expensive two beers thatyou've ever had in your life.
Yes.
That were, good beers.
(27:43):
That were good beers.
Worth it.
100%. Not at all, but verydifficult to deal with.
Exceptionally difficult, and I, can tellyou, it's, it did not go well mentally.
I struggled.
Yeah.
I really struggled.
Did a lot of.
Martial arts.
yeah.
And the guys there were phenomenal.
They helped me through a very dark time.
(28:05):
Yeah.
And I think those guys, Ican't thank them enough.
They, really got me through.
I can remember that.
It's in order to get to the, dojo.
Yeah.
Used to have to, take a bus becauseI was only allowed to drive.
Yeah.
Certain ways.
I used to have to.
Stop on the way, walk from, catcha, bus from, from work all the way.
(28:29):
Used to take about an hour and20 minutes just to get there.
Used to train.
Yeah.
And then some days would actually,have to catch the ferry across,
catch up the car later on.
Had to catch the bus inthe mornings just to do it.
But I can tell you therewas no escape Yeah.
To do it.
but one of the good things that it did.
Help was actually joined up with amental health men's, men's group.
(28:53):
Yeah.
And, managed to help outa lot of people there.
And also, one of the suicide groups.
Yeah.
that, and because I could, feel a lot.
Yeah.
About what was going and how Ifelt, how things had affected me.
Yeah.
And, managed to tell my story.
Yeah.
Around there.
But it was tough.
I can't tell you it's, youdon't realize that it's, one of
(29:15):
those little things that you do.
It's just a beer man.
Yeah.
And it was such a, just
a beer.
it's amazing.
One little decision canaffect your life so much.
it's tough.
It's really tough.
And I can't believe whatyou had to go through.
It's And the sad thing that I'malso hearing is the friends that
you said it shows who your realfriends are and it's bad enough.
(29:35):
You've got that own guiltyourself, that you've let your own
family down, but now it's also.
those, people that judge you.
And that's tough.
That's really, tough for everythingyou've had to go through.
and knowing you and the type ofguy that you are, this is not
for people that are listening.
I've known you since schooland everything like that.
If there's anybody that's more drivenand there's anybody that's more
(29:56):
dependable and there's anybody that Iknow will be there for you, it's you.
That's, you are one of those solidguys, so it's just so crappy that
you had to go through all of this.
It's sounding there's a lot that you'vereally grown and learned from all of this.
and maybe you can continue where youare today and where it's taken you.
Sure.
(30:16):
even more.
And this is why it wasn't just thosethree year wait and this is why it is.
And that's, why I saidseven years of bad luck.
it was after the deportationnotice got, canceled.
We wanted to apply forpermanent residency now.
Yeah.
And go, look, remove the restrictions.
Yeah.
Become permanent residents.
Yeah.
And I said, sorry, you can't, you gota conviction if you want to apply.
(30:41):
You need to have fiveyears without a conviction.
Oh, geez.
Now that'll make you wait even longer.
Even longer.
So I had to wait five years, fromwhen I was, so it was from 2019.
Yeah.
Had to wait five years.
And after that managedto eventually apply.
Yeah.
And we actually got it atthe beginning of this year.
(31:01):
Just, we got that permanent residency, sowe were able to travel again, which is,
if there's anybody that's showinggrit, it's your showing grit.
So for those people that arecoming across here, I promise you,
I know we all got our own story.
you're proving you just don't give up.
You just keep going.
Just keep on
and you got to Yeah,but it just hasn't left.
went to business forAustralia three weeks ago.
(31:25):
Yeah.
And it was the first time I'd.
Traveled again, and I,found a phenomenal company.
Now I'm working with theguys are just next level.
Awesome.
Went across and I can remember arriving inAustralia, it was South African passport.
I'm like, yeah, I canstill travel, don't care.
Yeah.
Got up to immigration.
And in the form you had to enter,have you had any convictions?
(31:48):
Oh, geez.
Yeah.
So I had to stick, yes.
Yeah.
And a lot of people around and got there.
Remember the lady's name was Heidi,which was my grandmother, which we
getting get into a, second as well.
and she said, oh, you got a conviction?
Yep.
She's wait here.
(32:09):
So she goes off and goes off, to theside and I'm like, what's going on?
Yeah, follow this guyand not very friendly.
I was like, oh, okay.
Got pulled aside in front ofeverybody, marched across and they
said, oh, you got a conviction.
Did you declare it like I did whenI did my visa and got paraded there?
(32:32):
Stood in front.
Okay, that's fine.
You can go.
still hos, but the biggest thing forme is because I've got a conviction.
You get something in NewZealand called a clean slate.
Yeah.
After seven years that, you get differentdegrees of people that can actually see
your record with the Ministry of Justice.
(32:53):
Okay.
After seven years you can get a cleanslate, which gets put behind a wall.
You don't need to whenyou're applying for jobs.
Okay.
need to say that you've got a conviction.
I don't even think
of that.
Yeah.
And the kind of line of work that I'mmeant, don't wanna get too much, can't
really say too much about it, but, Ineed to be, approved for certain levels
of access and having a convictionthat, does not allow me to be able
(33:16):
to get that access and anything.
Joining the police.
Yeah, joining the defense Force.
Anything like that.
Anything that, that's still on your back.
So it's, that one, one bad.
Mistake that kind of haunts you.
Yeah.
For seven years.
And, besides all of that, the one,one of the worst things that happened
(33:39):
to me was that, that, that reallygot me was, whilst we were at the
permanent residency, we were waiting.
So we still had travel restrictions andwe only got it in January, this year,
in December, my dad suddenly died.
(33:59):
He had a clot that went up, I thinkone day to the next, and he was gone.
Sorry, man.
And, my brothers flew down to my mum.
Yeah.
After that I couldn't, you couldn't go?
Couldn't go because I was tied down.
Yeah.
(34:19):
And, that was difficult.
There was, that was exceptionallydifficult because, Being the eldest.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Very difficult not beingable to give support.
Yeah.
And, a few weeks later, mygrandmother passed as well.
Oh.
And, with the passports not being there.
(34:39):
Yeah.
Oh, couldn't go either.
So she didn't want to have afuneral or anything like that, so
it was okay, but very, difficult.
Yeah.
Yeah.
just the, the.
sins have passed.
Yeah.
that, really catches up andyou don't think about it.
No.
You don't think about it.
You think, Hey, havinga good time, it's fine.
(35:00):
I'll be okay.
But it has been one of the toughestlessons, on my family, which
makes it very difficult for me.
Yeah.
For them.
And I, just appreciate them so much.
How, especially my wife, how.
She had to also go through those emotions.
Yeah.
Of everything that I wentand, she was supportive.
(35:25):
She was great.
Absolutely brilliant.
just having to mentally push throughthat is, it was, I can't describe how
difficult it was and I'm just veryfortunate next year the whole, all the
dark past is done, but it has been.
Exceptionally difficult, but thereare, there's silver, the linings.
(35:48):
Yeah.
I, can tell you now not, notdrinking for the last 18 months.
Everything I've been through,which is I haven't been happy.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I've been great.
I've got, you, you learn who yourfriends are and your people are.
You, appreciate everything that you'vegot, how quickly things can be taken away.
You think twice about things and.
(36:09):
I would just be so careful with anything.
Anything that you do, especially thosetwo years that you are waiting for
your residency, permanent residency.
Be very careful.
Yeah.
'cause things can get scaryvery quickly and scary fast.
Yeah.
From one day to the next, you canbe king of the world next day.
(36:30):
You're not
sure.
I really appreciate you sharing this.
This is, it's like I, Ihaven't even heard your story.
I didn't want, as I said to youdownstairs before we started
is No, I'll hear it shortly.
So I'm even hearing it firsthandas well, and it's Sure.
I can't believe.
The journey you've had to go through.
(36:50):
it's incredible.
one thing I can tell you is we bothgot very strong women, that's for sure.
So I'm very grateful for my wife too.
And your wife, exceptionally grateful.
Awesome.
I wouldn't have been able to do it.
I wouldn't be here today without her.
Oh, look, I have no doubt.
You've obviously.
You're a lot stronger personfor everything that you've
gone through, that's for sure.
And, you'll appreciated that much more.
(37:15):
I know I can't a hundred percent compare,but one of the things, that I've had
cancer before and that was a, big.
Change in my life that's made me rethinkhow and what was important to me.
And it's, almost like thishas happened to you as well.
It's made you rethink what's important andreassessing that 100% family is important.
Making memories is important.
(37:36):
really starting to thinkabout, I don't know what you
should be focusing on in life.
May maybe ending off there is askingyou, telling the audience what
are some things that you, think.
They need to learn from this.
What if you had to give a top threethings, for example, what would
you wanna give them as a message?
(37:57):
Top three?
putting you on the spot here, but
No, that's, it's, good becauseit's been such a big journey.
there are actually so many differentones that, that you realize.
I think the top threes probably say isdon't drink and drive in New Zealand.
It, can change.
In an instance, you're playing roulette.
(38:17):
Russian roulette with a do not do it.
Rather pay the $70 or the $40 toUber and not drive it is not worth.
It's not worth it.
Yeah, 100%.
And then secondly, if you do gethit with something like, or like
this DUI or any kind of trauma, makesure that you find a strong group of
(38:40):
people to help you get through that.
Because I know that without my,guys at, the martial arts, yeah,
without them I wouldn't have beenable to do it with, without, my wife
wouldn't have been able to do it.
Make sure that you get areally strong group of people.
And they're just a general one, oneof one of the big lessons that I've
(39:02):
learned from being here in New Zealandand it's it's one of the things you,
realize when you're not drinking ishow much money you actually save is.
And I love that podcast that you did.
It's actually being here for nineyears actually learned a lot from what
you did was you expenses, be careful.
You come here with your pockets fullof your pension and all of that.
(39:23):
Be very careful how you spendyour money that disappears.
Very quickly.
Yeah.
I can still remember when we landed here,the stress, the complete and utter trauma
of changing countries and all of that.
The first six months wedrunk every single night.
Yeah.
And that was expansive and wefelt it and it was difficult.
(39:44):
Be very careful there.
Yeah, I reckon those,there're many others.
Yeah, I can tell.
But those three I reckon, be the top.
Don't drink and drive.
Find a good group of peopleeven if you don't have trauma
or anything, find good people.
It makes a difference.
Watch your money.
Awesome John.
And no, thank you for that.
And I, I probably, when I publishedthis podcast, maybe I'll share some
links for some of those organizationsthat you're referring to, because
(40:07):
I think, not just for, if you'regoing through trauma, like a DUI,
like you've shared with us today is.
Just immigrating in general.
We were chatting downstairs how yourmental wellbeing, this is a tough thing,
and not having a support structurearound you, it makes it 10 times harder.
So it, would be good to,to share more of those.
So if you don't mind, it wouldbe awesome to share that as well.
Happy to do that.
(40:27):
But really, Jono, thankyou for sharing your story.
It's, it's, wow, it's.
It's one hell of a story.
It really, is, and I'm so humbled andso I just respect you hell of a lot
for being able to be courageous enoughand brave enough to share this so
that other people can learn from you.
So thank you, Simon.
Thanks.
No, absolutely
pleasure.
And, thank you for what you're doing.
I know even now, after nine years that I'mtaking a lot of your journey, your hard
(40:51):
landing that you didn't actually stilllearning from it and really appreciate
what you're doing for everybody else.
Thanks'.
If I had somebody.
Like you, that would've shown me a littlebit more of the way before I got here.
It
would've been
much easier.
Oh, thanks Donna.
that's the whole purpose of this.
We are trying to help as many immigrantsas possible, that, learn from us.
We've all got our own stories and,sometimes you just don't get to
(41:14):
meet your people and sometimesit's too late to, you meet them and
you've already gone through so much.
So that's the whole purpose of this.
So thank you, Jono.
No, appreciate it.
really appreciate it.
Thank you.
So with that guys, I justwanna thank you so much, to.
everybody for, listening, especially thoseof you that have been listening regularly.
I really, appreciate it.
But if this is the first time that you'relistening to my podcast, I'd like to ask
(41:35):
you please go back to the first, episode.
I try share my journeyin chronological audio.
it also just gets you to know me a littlebit, and who I am and what my journey's
all about and why you should even listento some of the stuff that I'm sharing.
so please.
Do go back and listen to number one.
Otherwise, if you don't find my podcast inany of your platforms that you listen to
(41:56):
your podcast on, like iTunes or Spotify.
Find me on YouTube.
My YouTube channel is, soft Landingnz and you'll find all my content
that I put on there, not just mypodcast, but a whole lot of other
video tutorials like the one Jono wasreferring to about the cost of living.
I try to give as much content as possibleto help as many immigrants as possible
that come through to New Zealand.
(42:16):
I just want you guys to have asofter landing and learn from it.
So with that, guys, you must keep safe.
Until next time, cheers.
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