Coming Home to Aotearoa, New Zealand

This week, I travelled to my home country, Aotearoa, New Zealand, so my post is arriving a little later than usual. Travel and family time have swept me up in the best possible way, and this reflection feels even more meaningful because of it.

Each time I return home to Aotearoa and feel the plane touch down, something in me settles. It’s as if the land itself is welcoming me home. Every detail here feels familiar and grounding — the vibrant colours of the land and sea, the song of the tūī drifting through the trees, the soft scent of summer flowers, and the bright red blooms of the pōhutukawa, New Zealand’s native Christmas tree.

The quiet at night reminds me just how far Aotearoa sits from the rest of the bustling world. It feels as though the whole country has drifted into a peaceful sleep. When I look up at the night sky, even the moon and stars seem closer, as if I could reach out and touch them.

And then there’s the beautiful chaos of my family — the noise, the laughter, and the way they all love without hesitation. Being here nourishes my soul. While I’m here, I’ll take everything in.

New Zealand is a special place. I know that when it’s time to leave again, I’ll feel those familiar emotions of heartache and sadness. But I will always be grateful that I’ve been able to come home — leaving with a full heart and many more memories to cherish.

~ Rhonda ~

Pōhutukawa in bloom