Corkonians Abroad: My hectic life in party town of NZ

Emily Maher and her mom Kaye at the blue pools in Cameron Flats in New Zealand
THIS week, I caught up with Emily Maher, originally from Summerhill North in Cork city, who, after travelling across Asia, has settled in Queenstown, New Zealand.
She tells me about dumbing down her Cork accent, and discovering the beauty of pies on the other side of the world...
How did you end up in New Zealand?
I left Ireland two years ago and arrived in Queenstown just over 14 months ago.
I have always wanted to travel since I was young, and I had just finished my Tourism degree in MTU and that was my time to go.
I was backpacking through south-east Asia and arrived in Australia. I was not exactly sure where I wanted to be in Oz. I was overwhelmed by how big of a place it was.
I ended up coming over to New Zealand for a five-day holiday and never left. It happens a lot in Queenstown.
What is life like in your new home?
New Zealand is a very stunning place, with all different types of landscapes. I have lots of friends and live in a very vibrant community.
What has been the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge for me has been missing my family and starting up a whole new life for me across the other side of the world.
I am quite an outgoing person but there’s nothing like a bit of home comfort.
My work provided a great place to go meet people, and joining Facebook groups helped a lot. Don’t forget, the Irish pub is the easiest place to find all those Irish living abroad
How might you spend your weekends?
Queenstown is a party town, but also has so many amazing hikes with great views, so there’s no hangover allowed over here. It’s a get up and go the next morning!

Watching the sunsets by the lake is one of my favourite things to do.
Tell us a bit about the culture of where you live?
New Zealand is definitely similar to Ireland, despite being on two different sides of the world. I have definitely had to slow down how I speak and dumb down my Cork accent.
One thing I have picked up is a New Zealand delicacy called pies. They’re basically a small pie pastry filled with types of fillings. They are basically the New Zealand version of a hot chicken fillet roll. But better. Sorry, Ireland.
Christmas in the summer is a very strange concept to me. Sitting out on Christmas Day in shorts and a t-shirt in 25-30 degree heat. Having Christmas dinner cooked on the barbecue... it will never make sense to me.
However, the Christmas Day swim is a lot warmer, which is a big plus.
Something I have brought from home has been the love of a bag of Tayto crisps in the pub and Barry’s tea.
My UK friends are now changed tea drinkers and can confirm Barry’s tea is better than English breakfast tea. But we all knew that, it just took them a while to understand.
Tell us about your line of work?
I work for as a hostel manager for Accor group. It’s a lively place and I really enjoy meeting new people.
I was a hostel manager in Ireland so I definitely had the experience to get me into such a great job.
What has been your most memorable moment in your new location so far?
I remember one day my friends and I rented a boat and went out onto the lake, and it was such beautiful weather, and to experience my new home in a different perspective was one of those pinch-me moments.
Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world and that it is. Constantly experiencing new adventures that we do not have at home is one of my favourite things about living abroad.
Tell us about your time travelling in Asia?
I travelled through Thailand for two months. It was my first time travelling outside of Europe and what a culture shock it was.
The authentic Thai food was absolutely amazing and nothing has lived up to it so far.
While I was in Thailand, I completed my advance scuba diving course, I fell in love with scuba diving while I was there and managed to dive in most areas around Thailand. I now want to go back and complete my dive masters as soon as I can.
Solo travelling became my new hobby. Waking up each morning and deciding what I wanted to do was a routine I was not familiar with. I enjoyed every minute of it and I can’t wait to be able to do it again.
If anyone ever has doubts about it, I can’t express enough how life-changing it is. I met the most amazing people on my travels and some are now friends for life.
Can you tell us about the opportunity you see in a place like New Zealand, compared to Ireland?
New Zealand is a place of endless opportunities when it comes to adventure. The tourism here is so popular, despite it being a small country at the bottom of the southern hemisphere.
There are countless jobs in tourism all over the country. The jobs here are nothing like we get at home, from working in bungee jump centres and helicopter lines to boat cruises through the Fiordlands. No 9-5 office jobs.
I feel that the jobs here can push you outside of your comfort zone and your ‘typical’ line of work.
Any special mentions to friends or family back in Cork?
Of course, to all my family back home.

I was unfortunately over here when my Nan passed away and I could not come over for the funeral so a very special mention to her.
As well, to my friends, who I miss dearly, but I know they are all doing amazing things in their own way.
If you were back in Cork for one day, what would the ideal day for you involve?
I have thought about this a lot. I would walk around town and hike up to Bell’s Field. I feel after all the hiking I have done here, it has prepared me for Patrick’s hill again.
I would have a pint (or a few) in the Shelbourne Bar and finish off with a roast dinner cooked by my amazing mom at home.
What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
I am currently writing this while travelling New Zealand with my family in a camper van. I have been looking forward to this for a long time.
I have a few travels planned with some amazing friends, and honestly to just enjoy the time I have here.
My family and I have been planning this five-week trip for almost a year now. They came over for Christmas, and I feel very lucky to have them here.
My dad (Liam), mom (Kaye), brother (Tom) and sister (Grace) all came over. The whole family! They are absolutely loving the adventure.
The variety of landscapes in this small country, from cold, harsh mountains to tropical forests, all in the once place. What more could you ask for?
We now have two weeks left on our road trip of a lifetime. I will be sad to see them go, but I am so happy I got to share with them why I love this country and why I have stayed so long.
I am so happy they could be here and make these amazing memories that will last a lifetime.