“Rotterdam is full of courage and creativity. That makes it my home,” says Maaike from New Zealand. She grew up in New Zealand because her Dutch parents decided to emigrate there when Maaike was very young. “For me, it was very normal: New Zealand became our home.”
Even in the country next to Australia, she grew up in a multicultural society. For example, she was raised with the values of Māori culture. “It says that people carry the spirit of everything. For example, the place where you are standing contains the energy of the four fathers and all the people who lived before you.” The ancestors are a kind of gods for the Māori. “That’s why you give thanks for that, including the place where you are standing. That was really instilled in me there.”
A connection with her own country
When she had children in New Zealand, she decided to return to the Netherlands with them. “I wanted to feel a connection with my country, but in New Zealand, I was essentially an immigrant. So I was curious if I could feel at home in the Netherlands.” She took the big step in 2012. “At first, I tried to settle in Brabant, but that didn’t feel like home.” She wanted to try Rotterdam. “People aren’t perfect, but they do create beautiful things. I wanted to experience that. In Rotterdam, there are so many different kinds of people creating beautiful things… it’s a creative place. Theater, music, art: it’s all here.”
Warrior mentality
The family moved to Rotterdam, and it felt like home. “Here I found peace and connection.” She attributes this also to the shared warrior mentality shared by Rotterdammers and New Zealanders. “Of course, Rotterdam was partly bombed during World War II. I think that made Rotterdammers stronger. The Māori culture I grew up in is also a warrior culture.”
Cultures, daring, creativity, and an open atmosphere
Moreover, the city reminds her of New Zealand. “I’ve never felt unsafe here. There’s a lot of diversity, yet also a sense of unity. I recognize that from New Zealand.” The architecture and the spirit of daring also appeal to her. “When I first came, I thought: what a strange collection of buildings! But it’s precisely that space and creativity that make Rotterdam unique. You feel that everything here was built with courage.”
Yet, it wasn’t always easy to feel at home in Rotterdam. “I can always be myself here; I don’t have to impress anyone. But when I wanted to integrate here, I found it difficult that I couldn’t just drop in on my aunt. Because that’s what I’ve always been used to, and then just join her for dinner. I grew up sharing what I have; even with food. That’s less common here, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing; it’s just a culture I’m not used to.”
At home on Noordereiland
She now lives on Noordereiland, surrounded by the water. “I grew up on the North Island of New Zealand. Now I live on the North Island in Rotterdam.” She feels a strong connection to the water surrounding her house. “In my culture, water has a spiritual meaning. Every day I greet the water from my window. That’s a way for me to stay connected to my roots.” And with that, the North Island feels like home again. “It immediately felt good, like I’d finally arrived.”
Connection and trust
Her advice to newcomers is simple yet powerful. “Trust your environment and the people around you. Of course, connection sometimes costs something, but it always yields more. Without trust, you can’t truly connect.”