"Taranaki is a great region for career development,”
according to Ervi, who has been in Taranaki working at South Taranaki District Council since August 2021.
Watch Ervi's case study video on moving to Taranaki and working in the engineering field.
Ervi grew up in the Philippines and completed her engineering degree there. She always assumed that she would relocate to Australia, seeing as she got a job at an Australian company based in the Philippines after studying. However, one Nelson-born fiancé and a Kiwi holiday-turned-lockdown later, Ervi found herself well and truly based in New Zealand.
After getting stuck here during the lockdown, Ervi applied for a work visa. Initially, the Washington Accord meant she was only offered work as a technician, but she wanted and knew she could do so much more than that. A friend of Ervi’s made her aware of a role at South Taranaki District Council – the Council was satisfied that Ervi’s degree and previous experience was relevant, so she applied and was successful for the role.
“The support from the District Council has been great, including supporting me with relocation costs”. Ervi also loves the social clubs that the Council has set up for staff, saying “it's a great way to meet people and hang out outside of work”.
Something Ervi thinks people should know is that a smaller region actually means more opportunity for career development – not the opposite. “The fact that fewer people are available means you have a wider-reaching role which creates career growth”.
Ervi’s noticed a few things since living in South Taranaki. It’s a lot smaller than her home back in the Philippines, however it’s one hour from New Plymouth which has all the amenities you’d need. Her fiancé, now husband, found work in New Plymouth and commutes from South Taranaki each day.
“There are lots of different smaller communities to find and become involved with in Taranaki, should you wish.” Ervi has become friends with the local community of people from the Philippines, which has really helped her settle into life in Taranaki. She also loves walking and biking on the many trails around the local area. She's glad she's made the move and would encourage others to get out there and give it a go, “for your career and for your lifestyle”, concludes Ervi.