Sabry
“I’m originally from Egypt. My wife is Filipino, she got a job offer as a nurse. Then I decided to come to visit. So I visited, but I never went back.
I just like the environment, like the people. We came here, maybe, in 2005. I come from an Arabic background, so of course, the language was my first problem here. Even if I tried to understand, I can't catch one word. I had to study, and listen to news, music, whatever. I can talk to people, I don't feel shy.
In the beginning, I didn't have a business. I used to work for another shop. I used to study English because my English wasn't good enough. I used to work at night, study full time in the morning. Then after three years, I was able to speak and understand English, so I started my business in Ferry Road. My first shop opened in 2012 at Ferry Road under Sabry’s Souvlaki. Then my second shop was, I think, Redwood, then Wairakei Road, Hornby, Papanui then the city centre.
Around 2019, the first one was in Hereford Street. I love the city. I did get the chance to open in different areas, but no, I don't know. I just like the city. This location, High Street, it's very nice. I like the people. We got support from the office workers. I like my neighbours. I like the city too much!
Even the homeless are friendly to me. I know most of them, I support them with whatever they need. I just help them. You can't just fight or ignore them, you have to be part of that community as well.
We also have a bubble tea shop, Boba Time. But my wife, she handles it. I don't know what I think about bubble tea, because it's a different culture, but I know about kebab and souvlaki!
I have four boys, three born here. One of them is studying as a doctor. You have to spend time with family as well. My oldest kids live outside the city, so as soon as they come home, we make dinner, talk about family, you know, to be connected, we're close family, and we keep our culture as well.
What we miss, unfortunately, is the cathedral. This is the first thing I saw when I arrived. I went inside many times. It was amazing. Hopefully it will come back one day.”
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.7% Yes, supporting people is important!
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26% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.3% ... It is complicated
Addictive Eaters Anonymous
After ten years of depression, my life had hit rock bottom
I remember being ‘different’ around food for most of my life. This included things such as being the person who had two cream buns at morning tea when everyone else had one; eating icing sugar by the spoonful directly from the packet; and being the family member who went into the kitchen after dinner to eat the leftovers. There are numerous other examples – too many to list. I could overeat anything. If I couldn’t get my preferred favourites (e.g. chocolate), I’d be eating the vegetables.
Poll: Do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? ☔⚠️
As reported in the Press, the same low-pressure system that lashed the North Island over the weekend is now making its way south, bringing heavy rain and strong winds with it. It’s a soggy start to the week for many of us.
With more wild weather on the cards, we’re curious: do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? Or are you more of a “grab the torches and hope for the best” household?
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48% Yes - we like to be prepared
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40% Nah
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12% This is on my to-do list!
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