Hi, my name is   Randi Westphal!

I look forward to meeting you and helping you and your family settle in New Zealand!

My family (including a husband, three children, a dog and a cat) are also immigrants!

In 2002 we moved from the mountains of Colorado (in the US) to a beach-side town on the South Island of New Zealand.

In the United States, I worked as a writer and educator. But when we moved to New Zealand, I started my own company; ‘Welcome To Nelson.’ We helped immigrants to settle in New Zealand and provided accommodation for visiting doctors, judges, and families on holiday.

I have had the opportunity to write articles and evaluations for an international tour company. This has allowed me to visit a lot of countries and to get to know people with experiences far different from my own. 

Over the years I have also volunteered for several NGOs (Non Government Organizations). Working with the UN and volunteer organizations, we were able to set up new pre-schools and grow several existing primary schools in countries such as  Nepal, Cambodia, and Bangladesh. 

When we first moved to New Zealand, my children were a little ‘afraid’ of what to expect in New Zealand and at school. But most people in the community (and all the teachers and school personnel) were wonderfully welcome, so my children soon adapted….and thrived!

My children have since gone through all levels of the New Zealand educational system; attending primary school, middle school, high school, undergraduate and graduate university. 

Two of my children are still in New Zealand, but a career has taken one of my sons back to the US.

I currently live in Christchurch (with a dog, a cat, and wonderful friends) where I continue to work with immigrants while volunteering in the local community.

I look forward to getting to know your family and would like to help all of you settle in and enjoy all that New Zealand has to offer!

Randi Westphal

027 284 9911

welcometonelson@gmail.com