When I moved to New Zealand I decided to experience working in jobs outside my career field of 10years in Social Care work. Firstly I worked packing kiwi fruit for international shipment.

For winter I managed to get employed operating ski lifts on a live volcano – Mount Ruapehu! I had never skied a day in my life previously and now here I was advising folks how to use ski lifts etc.. What an amazing experience!

That is me under all the layers!

Following this job I moved to the south island in search of new opportunities and adventures. Following the devastating earthquake in 2011 in Christchurch, there is a massive rebuild going on. I thought … wouldn’t it be great to work in construction in a physically demanding job labouring, getting fit while making money.

In Ireland working in construction particularly labouring as a woman would’nt be a viable option where as in New Zealand when you prove you can do the job it doesn’t matter what sex you are they have respect once you prove yourself. I worked in construction for approximately 3 1/2 months before my visa expired and absolutely loved it!!!

I happened to meet the then Prime Minister of the time John Keys. I was very excited to meet the Prime Minister as I’d read so much about him and considered him to be an intriguing character. As it happened to be his last day in office when he visited my building site ” The art centre” in Christchurch – a national treasure, he was followed by a lot of cameras so I ended up briefly being shown on the national news and being referred to in a Christchurch paper😄