The Filipino Cultural Heart of South Otago

Jovenal’s journey to Aotearoa

Jovenal Cardinoza completed a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Central Luzon State University, Philippines and moved to New Zealand as a Dairy farmer in 2008. After three years he brought his family over to experience the beauty of New Zealand and give them a brighter future.

When asked about Clutha District Jovenal says, “The place is awesome, beautiful and there are a lot of job opportunities that my family love.” He believes there are greater opportunities for his family in New Zealand than if they had stayed back in the Philippines. “If I compare it to our life back home, which is dramatically slow, no matter how hard you strive, it’s unlikely I could send my kids to university, buy some of the things that I dreamed of, like a car, or a house if I had not made the decision to work abroad.”

The Filipino Migrant Population in New Zealand

Research by Dr Rebecca Townsend for the Asia New Zealand Foundation showed that Filipinos comprise 1 percent of New Zealand’s population – the third largest Asian ethnic group, and 2018 stats show a total Filipino population of 72,612 here. Townsend also notes that Filipinos are a vital part of  New Zealand’s dairy, healthcare, construction, nursing, aged care, IT and agricultural sectors.

The 2024 Perceptions of Asia Report cited 53 percent of New Zealanders viewing the Philippines as a friend, largely due to their hard-working and friendly nature. For Jovenal, the feeling is mutual: “Since I moved to New Zealand, I’ve stayed in the Clutha Area for nearly 16 years now, and I find the people so lovely, helpful and caring. Life for Filipino migrants living in Balclutha is so great.”

The Filipino community has hosted a number of different activities. Image: Supplied

Promoting Filipino culture through the Clutha Filipino Society

Despite having two jobs and a family to look after, Jovenal really enjoys his role as President of the Clutha Filipino Society and does a lot in the local community. He says, “I just love to promote our culture and be a part of community events.” The Society is well-known locally and was formed in  April 2018. It has 60 members – (not an insignificant number when you consider that Filipinos make up only 3% of the population in Otago).

The Society does a lot, as Jovenal explains: “Our Society serves as a flagship for all Filipinos in the Clutha area and as a link to all the community organizations whenever there is an event in the community. We promote our culture, and the Clutha gives a lot of respect and appreciation to us, making Filipinos proud to be part of the community.”

Jovenal credits the strong level of support from the community and funding from the Ethnic Community Development Fund and Lottery Grants as some of the reasons why the Society is able to be so vibrant and active. Their engagements include cultural presentations in local rest homes, running a basketball tournaments, and joining the Clutha district Culture Feast to raise funds for the people of Davao Philippines who were affected by Flooding. The Society also holds events for significant days for both the Philippines and New Zealand, such as Araw ng Kagitingan ( Day of Valour, like ANZAC day) in April, Araw ng Kalayaan ( Philippine Independence day) and around Matariki and Christmas, including cultural performances in the Balclutha Santa Parade.

Supporting new Filipino migrants

The Society helps newly arrived migrants from the Philippines to navigate immigration policies. Jovenal explains one of the top migration issues concerning Filipino migrants in New Zealand at the moment: “New Filipino migrants who came here under the Employer accredited work visa are worried at this stage because of the condition that they have to go home for 12 months after a three-year contract with their employer. It is very hard for those who brought their wife and kids to have to go home. This is one of the major problems that Filipino migrants under the EAWV are facing at this stage.” Jovenal and the Society members do what they can with the help of an immigration advisor to support people through these difficult immigration issues.

Enjoying the good life in the Clutha, with some challenges along the way

In Jovenal’s view life for Filipino migrants living in Balclutha is generally great and allows for the experience of the chance to have a nice job, accommodation, earning money to support your family and enjoying lifestyle opportunities such as hiking, camping, skiing, watching concerts, fishing, hunting, or gathering crabs.

Along with these opportunities comes the challenge of being away from family and loved ones and navigating immigration changes. Jovenal lists some of the other areas of life he’s had to navigate over the years: “The high cost of living, the kiwi accent or slang, having a grumpy boss, or people who swear many times in one statement, unpredictable weather (four seasons in a day) are some of surprises that I didn’t expect while living in Clutha. But as time goes by I am getting used to it.”

Surprisingly, however, Jovenal hasn’t experienced any big culture shocks in Aotearoa. He puts this down to always being exposed to cultural diversity in the Philippines: “The New Zealand culture didn’t give me a big surprise because the Philippines is a nation consisting of many provinces, cultures and traditions with different festivities, cultural performances, tribes and dialects.”

At the end of the day, he is always full of praise for the people of the Clutha District: “People in the community are friendly, loving and accommodating. They are nice and respectful and give a lot of help and concern.”

-Asia Media Centre