In 2004, Raihana Zahedi arrived in New Zealand as a refugee from Afghanistan.
She was just 13 and could not speak any English.
Today she lives in Ashburton and is helping other refugees settle in the district.
When Raihana Zahedi came to New Zealand in 2004, it was with her parents, two brothers and two sisters.
Due to political turmoil in Afghanistan and fears for their safety, the family fled the country. They settled in New Zealand where her other brother had already been placed as a refugee.
‘‘On arriving in New Zealand I instantly noticed how clean and green it was, there were so many differences in how people dressed, the housing and many other things,’’ she said.
She said the culture shock began even before getting here, when they stopped over in Dubai.
‘‘We were looking at and pointing at the people because they looked so different from us, especially the women, whose faces you could see. They weren’t dressed in full burkas like Afghan women,’’ Zahedi said.
Today the 33-year-old wears her hijab on some occasions out of respect to her family, but otherwise dresses in western clothes.
Though grateful for the opportunities that living in New Zealand, such as being able to attend school, had given her, Zahedi missed her loved ones and friends still in Afghanistan.
Zahedi’s family settled in Christchurch when they arrived, where she attended Hagley College.
‘‘It was very hard at school when I couldn’t speak or read English, even shopping was difficult. I couldn’t go out on my own, I needed a translator with me.’’
Her school was culturally diverse, and held special days so students could showcase their cultures with dress, performance and food.
‘‘We were fortunate at the college, as there was a mosque there so we could practice our faith,’’ she said.
On leaving school, Zahedi went to Ara Institute to study travel and tourism. While working at Baker Boys in New Brighton, she took business studies, followed by obtaining a double degree in hospitality management and human resources.
She worked in hospitality including at the Hotel Ashburton for the next three years.
In 2021 she and her husband Navid Bashir moved to Ashburton. Bashir works as a cultural navigator with the Safer Mid Canterbury Refugee Resettlement programme. They have a threeyear-old son.
Since 2020, Ashburton has welcomed the resettlement of former refugee families as part of the government’s Refugee Quota Programme. Ashburton is one of 13 settlement locations throughout New Zealand and receives about 110 people per year from the 1500 national yearly quota.
Zahedi is today helping those former refugees, in a role with New Zealand Red Cross Pathways to Employment programme. She works as a translator and helps them navigate the job market and adjust to life in New Zealand.
She also works at Ashburton College as a bilingual liaison and tutor, assisting former refugee students with English language skills, and provides guidance on their educational journey.
‘‘I enjoy my jobs as I know what it’s like to come here, knowing very little English and wanting to settle in and be part of the community,’’ Zahedi said.
‘‘ I can say to those I work with ‘I know how you feel, I know what it’s like, don’t stress and don’t rush, things will come right and you will settle here’,’’ she said.
Late last year, she attended a Women in Leadership Summit in Wellington. The summit brings together emerging and established female leaders from across Aotearoa, showcasing their journeys as they make a mark in their communities.
Zahedi was awarded two scholarships to attend the course. The Women Leaders Institute Scholarship is offered to women from diverse backgrounds, a group which has been historically under represented in workplaces.
The Rotary Club of Ashburton Plains also gave Zahedi a scholarship to cover her travel to and accommodation in Wellington.
‘‘My sister had done the course and she encouraged me to do it. She said it would make me a stronger person. I am so happy that I did it,’’ Zahedi said.
The two full on days of the course gave the participants the opportunity to hear from inspiring speakers on topics such as how to be a good leader and develop confidence and self-belief.
‘‘I am a shy and introverted person, so the course helped me to overcome these. It gave me the confidence to tell my story,’’ Zahedi said.
Zahedi particularly enjoyed the small groups where participants learned from each other.
The course had changed how Zahedi interacted with others.
Previously she would nod and agree with whatever someone else was saying. Now she was motivated to say what she thought and share her perspective.
Zahedi returned to Afghanistan for a visit in 2016 which was exciting and deeply emotional.
‘‘Being back stirred a wave of mixed feelings,’’ she said.
Due to the control the Taliban had on Ghanzi province she was unable to visit her hometown.
‘‘I visited Kabul and Bamyan, which were relatively safe. However, people still looked worn out from the endless conflict, and travelling freely was difficult. It made me realise how fortunate I am to live in New Zealand,’’ she said.
Afghanistan will always hold a special place in her heart. It’s the place she was born and for which she has cherished memories from her childhood.
Despite the challenges the country was and still is going through, she enjoyed her visit and looks forward to visiting again, hopefully next time including her hometown.
The return home did bring back some memories of her life there.
‘‘Seeing the people, especially the children and women who appeared so exhausted by war and anxious about their future, brought back painful memories of those difficult times.’’
Two of the highlights of her visit were eating Afghani food, and attending a concert by a female singer was a standout moment.
‘‘It was thrilling, especially knowing that such events are now forbidden by the Taliban,’’ Zahedi said.
