Finding home in Nelson

Originally from Japan, Eri Tanaka has been living in Nelson since 2017, and while it took a while to warm to life here, she says now she loves it, and has just bought her first house in Tāhunanui. As told to Justin Eade.

My hometown Saitama, near Tokyo, was a convenient place to live but a bit boring for me, because there’s no beach, mountain or river close to my house. I needed to travel quite a long way to anywhere if I wanted to go into nature.

I met wonderful people, and fell in love with New Zealand and its beautiful nature in 2002. It was when I was suffering from depression, and I came to Christchurch as the last choice of my life. Life in New Zealand eased my anxiety and depression. I wanted to live in New Zealand longer but I had to return to Japan for various reasons. However life back there just didn’t suit me, so after many twists and turns, I found a job at a company in Nelson more than 10 years later, and in 2017, I moved to Nelson.

To be honest, when I travelled to Nelson 20 years ago, I didn’t really like the city. The town and the accommodations were very white, and I also had a bad experience, but since moving here permanently, I’ve come to think that it’s a very comfortable place to live, with kind people, diverse nationalities and values, fresh and delicious local foods, and close access to a variety of natural areas. I’ve been enjoying getting to know local people and exploring new areas.

I’m a Homestay Coordinator at Nelson English Centre, and also a driving instructor and chauffeur. At Nelson English Centre, I place new students who want to stay at homestay with host families, as well as communicating with local families who want to become host families. I deal with any issues if they arise. I am also a part of the front desk team, helping students with their daily life.

I’ve become a big fan of New Zealand since I came here for the first time, almost like a New Zealand geek. When it comes to climate, even though I much prefer Nelson’s, my body needed one year to adjust itself, so I caught colds quite often during the first winter here. Regarding culture and habits, I know there are lots of small differences between here and Japan, but I’ve been enjoying those differences. However, I’m still surprised every time I see people walk everywhere barefoot, and when they don’t rinse dishes after washing them.

Everyone is so friendly and generous. Even though people don’t know each other, they greet on the street, have a chat in a shop, or offer a little help, like when they see someone struggling to carry something heavy. It’s such a relief, because I don’t need to hesitate to do those kind of things anymore. People sometimes think it’s weird or suspicious in Japan.

I’ve always loved driving and travelling, but I loved it even more when I came to New Zealand and Nelson. I discovered Waka Ama when I took a friend to Waka Abel Tasman, and I really got into Waka despite my fear of the water. I am looking forward to paddling Waka Ama again as I haven’t had much time to do it recently. Some of my favourite places in the region are Kaiteriteri beach, the Riuwaka Resurgence, and the scenery from Hawkes Lookout.

I used to go back to Japan once a year as my father was old and I wanted to visit him. My father passed away in 2022 during the Covid era. I was an only child, my mother passed away in 2001. Most relatives are older than me, I’m divorced and have no partner or children. So I would say I have no family in Japan, and even in New Zealand.

In general, I think people and society in New Zealand are much more laid back and tolerant of others than the Japanese. In Japan, there is a big pressure to conform to others, but New Zealanders are more open to doing what they like, expressing themselves, and are very good at praising others. Because people respect the individual, for example, they do nothing even if I’m in trouble, if I don’t speak up. However if I ask for help, they definitely try to help me, which is individualism in a good way, in my opinion.

There is a good network here for ex-pats. The Nelson Japanese Society, is a laid-back, friendly group. One of the representatives happens to be a senior student at my university and they all are really helpful. I am now also one of the board members.

Mister Karaage and Ikko Sushi are my two favorite Japanese places in Nelson. I like restaurants near the sea, like The Boat Shed Cafe, Nahm and Styx.

I have many good memories and have been helped by the strange and fortunate connections I have made with people, though I’m very bad at remembering people’s names and faces. There was a woman who sat next to me on the plane on the day I moved to Nelson, who approached me later at the Nelson Market. Then a person who contacted me about being a host family, used to work at the school I attended in Christchurch. We got talking and are now very good friends. Also, when I brought my father to Nelson, I was reunited in Abel Tasman with the person who helped my father on the plane. I didn’t realise until he talked to us. I still feel happy having been able to show dad the magical New Zealand connection.

I see myself staying here permanently, if I can. I got my first home recently in Tāhunanui, so I’m looking forward to enjoying the new stage of my life.