When Kathy Shu moved from Shanghai to Timaru in 2015, with her husband Sam and young son, she was taking up a role with local business, Vendella. At the time, China was a major part of Vendella’s supply network, and Kathy’s ability to negotiate pricing, manage existing supplier relationships, and understand international procurement was a significant asset to the business. Her relationships and market knowledge continue to support Vendella’s growth, helping the business stay competitive on quality, sustainability and value.
Nearly a decade later, Timaru is home. Kathy has grown her career, Sam has retrained in civil engineering, and their family has grown to four, with their younger son born at Timaru Hospital in 2018.
“Moving halfway around the world was a big adventure for us, but it has been one of the best decisions we have made,” Kathy says. “We have built our lives here, raised our family here, and developed strong connections within the community. Timaru has given us opportunities, a great lifestyle, and a place where we truly feel at home.”
For Kathy and Sam, one of Timaru’s greatest strengths is the balance it offers: short commutes, flexible family routines, and more time together.
“One of the things we value most about living in Timaru is how easy it is to get around,” she says. “Our commute is usually less than 10 minutes, which means we spend much less time in traffic and much more time with our family. Compared to larger cities, life here feels much less rushed and stressful. Our children are involved in a range of sports and cultural activities, and it’s easy to support them without long travel times between activities.”
Career and learning opportunities have also been important. Kathy has been able to use her international expertise locally, while Sam transitioned from software and mechanical engineering into civil engineering, working for one of New Zealand’s leading civil contractors. “Having a tertiary provider like Ara in Timaru has been a real advantage, especially in terms of flexibility, language support, and range of practical programmes available,” Kathy says.
For newcomers, community support has made a lasting difference, from Gleniti Baptist Church in their early days to Multi-Cultural Aoraki and other local connections.
“What stands out about Timaru is how friendly and approachable people are,” she says. “It is relatively easy to meet people, build relationships, and become involved in community life.” That welcome has inspired the family to give back and help strengthen the same sense of belonging that supported them when they first arrived.
Outside of work, Sam and Kathy enjoy hiking, reading, and gardening, and their family is actively involved in the South Canterbury Chinese Society (SCCS), where they have built strong friendships over the years.
As Chair of the South Canterbury Chinese Society, Kathy plays an important role in keeping Chinese culture alive and visible within the Timaru community. Through the Society’s activities, Chinese families have opportunities to maintain connections to their language, traditions and cultural identity, while also sharing these with the wider community.
The Society provides an important sense of belonging for new Chinese migrants, helping families settle with confidence, knowing they can build successful lives here without losing touch with their heritage.
Kathy and Sams story shows that people of many nationalities can bring their skills, traditions and experience with them, and build successful careers, friendships and meaningful lives in the Timaru District while enriching the community around them.
For Kathy, “Timaru has given us stability, opportunity, and a strong sense of belonging,” she says, “and it has become the place we are proud to call home.”
