13/04/2026
He Has Already Prepared the Way: From a Remote Town to a Place of Settlement
The journey of immigration is never easy. Looking back, after New Zealand reopened in 2023, God led me to work in the small town of Paihia at the northern tip of the North Island. At the time, I did not understand His purpose. I felt lonely and isolated, and even questioned why I had been placed in such a remote location. Yet today, as I reflect, I see more clearly—and I am deeply grateful for His guidance and the way He has shaped me.
Paihia is geographically remote, with very limited medical resources. Hospitals and healthcare professionals are in short supply, and the nearest emergency hospital is in Whangārei, about an hour’s drive away. As a result, our physiotherapy clinic played a vital role in the community. At times, I had to step into responsibilities similar to those of an emergency doctor—managing acute musculoskeletal injuries and even providing crutches to patients on the spot. Within just a few months, I encountered a wide range of complex and unfamiliar cases, which rapidly broadened my clinical experience. Although I worked eight hours a day, the pace was intense, with patients scheduled every half hour. At first, I felt anxious and unsure of my ability to cope, but over time I came to recognise this as an incredibly valuable period of growth. I also began with very limited knowledge of New Zealand’s ACC system, but learned and became confident in using it during that time.
In contrast, in Auckland, medical resources are far more abundant. Most patients have already been assessed by a doctor before arriving at the clinic, and the conditions I treat tend to be more routine and less complex.
Additionally, during my time in Paihia, all my patients communicated in English—around 70% were European and 30% were Māori. This environment pushed me to fully immerse myself in listening and speaking English. In the beginning, I struggled with the local accent and could only understand about half of what was being said, which was discouraging. However, as time went on, I gradually adapted and was pleasantly surprised to find that my English improved significantly.
Life in Paihia was also simple. There were limited opportunities to spend money, with only two small supermarkets and around ten restaurants in the town. As a result, even though my income was relatively modest at the time, I was still able to save.
Often, we do not understand God’s will in the midst of difficulties; it is only in hindsight that we begin to see His purpose. I am truly thankful for His guidance and provision, which have enabled us to settle in Auckland and establish a clinic in the Epsom community. This past February, my husband and I were also blessed to receive our permanent residency, bringing us a deep sense of peace and stability.
Today, although there is still much to learn and work on in the clinic, through past experiences and challenges, God has already prepared the way for us. He has poured out abundant grace and carefully ordered every step. May the Lord continue to use “Oraia Physio” so that we may be blessed and, in turn, become a blessing to others.
