The Suitcase Backpacker

Living and working in Auckland City, and enjoying colourful Pride month

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Aotearoa New Zealand

5 min read

Life in the City

Finding stable office work for 3 – 4 months in Auckland had been my ideal work option, but that turned out to be harder to find than I realised. The temping market in NZ had changed a lot since covid, so, in a hurry to find something, I managed to secure a short-term housekeeping position at a luxury apartment hotel. The views from the hotel I worked for were pretty magnificent, I also got the chance to meet and work alongside travellers from Asia, Europe and South America. Working in lodging hospitality was definitely interesting…there was absolutely never a dull moment that’s for sure. I once stumbled upon a glass of dentures by the kitchen sink in one of the rooms…as well as a sex toy on the floor that I almost vacuumed up – not in the same room as the dentures, just to clarify. Definitely saw things I wish I could forget!

Whilst on my way to work each morning I would cross the street to walk past a bao and noodle restaurant. I liked glancing through the window, and was fascinated by the speed and dexterity of the chefs, with their expert hands and delicate touch. The flour dappled surfaces, wooden bowls, and speedy arms; a swift, silent symphony behind the glass. Wandering past my favourite bao place on my way to work became part of my little morning routine, and I was so content with this new chapter of my life.

I also have a confession to make…I’m completely addicted to mochi, these Japanese rice cake treats and little squidgy balls of creamy softness. I’m pretty sure most of my wages went on them! The Asian food in NZ is impressively good; there’s variety and it’s always tasty. I love the diversity of Auckland, and there’s cuisine from almost every continent here. The Sky Tower is perhaps the most iconic landmark in the city; the view from the sky deck is beautiful and so worth the slightly nerve-racking journey up there.

Poetry, Art, and Wisdom

February was an exciting month of shows and events, and I saw Rupi Kaur at The Civic theatre one summer evening. I had bought tickets a few months prior, and was so excited to see her live. The theatre was unfortunately a bit of a tight squeeze, we were practically on top of each other; the woman on my right was haphazardly eating an ice-cream at one point, nearly shoving it in my face. Once Rupi took to the stage I didn’t want the night to end, she was captivating, and the whole production accentuated her words. The energy was electric, and I had a mesmerising night listening to Rupi bare her soul, and weave wisdom through this shared space. Such magic. When I made my way back to the flat, walking through Aotea Square, I spotted my favourite constellation, Orion, as per usual, glinting in the sky.

Another show I attended at The Civic was M9, described as a ‘micro’ conference, it was a rich display of Māori art and culture, full of captivating talks and powerful performances that blew me away. Many of the talks and performances displayed the importance of kapa haka (a group expression of song and dance). I was drawn to the spirit and passion of Māori culture before I even came to Aotearoa New Zealand, and took this show as an opportunity to understand more. The atmosphere was visceral and vibrant, and there was such a strong sense of community between the speakers and the audience, with cries and chants, I was in awe, and felt a bit like a deer in headlights…only the headlights were more like stars. A clinical psychologist speaker described kapa haka as an act of mindfulness, an embodiment of it. Her talk was about how Māori culture had practised mindfulness long before it became westernised in the health and wellness industry today. She said that kapa haka could not be reduced to a performing art, that it is part of a Māori’s purpose on Earth, and transcends categories and language.

Cyclone Chaos

Unfortunately some bad weather hit Auckland and the North Island around mid-February. Cyclone Gabrielle was in full force for a few days; thankfully the part of the CBD where I lived didn’t have any major flooding. The hotel I worked at was kindly offering to accommodate colleagues that lived in, or near impacted areas, as public transport had become chaotic and unreliable with cancellations and driver shortages. It was all a bit scary and nerve-racking. My umbrella had also become quite damaged by all the wind, and it’s now slightly lopsided, but I still use it because hey I’m forever on a blinking budget these days. People’s entire lives and livelihoods were washed away in a matter of days, so I feel very lucky that the only thing I had to worry about was my damaged umbrella. 

It’s a Colourful Life

February is Pride month in NZ, and I made sure to find out about all the performances, artworks, and community events taking place. I had the best time at a queer comedy show with my friends; it was my first experience of stand-up in NZ, and hopefully not the last. The Auckland Pride march was certainly one I will never forget because I actually joined the parade! I felt so involved, and what I love about being LGBT+ is the unification. Wherever I am in the world I can almost always still find my community. Thankfully I finished work ready for the march, making it on time after a haphazard uniform change. I waved and banged my inflatable baton alongside my friend Mackenzie, and we fully immersed ourselves in the rainbow flushed protest. It was an unforgettable, exhilarating sunny afternoon. I marched through the CBD surrounded by unity, then we mingled around the food and market stalls at the end. I was so happy, and really grateful for the experience.