NBS Bittersweet Podcasts Cultural Conversations Trust

Sally O'Neill's life was turned upside down when her son Finn died in an accident aged 18. She talks about her free-spirited son and the profound, all-consuming and ongoing upheaval his
death in 2014 caused. Sally also tells Tanya Nock about the bittersweet journey of learning she was adopted and discovering she had Māori whakapapa.

Jing Jing Jackson had married her Kiwi husband in her home village in the mountains of southwest China and had been living in Whakatū Nelson for six months when he died suddenly.
She was on her own in a new country and an unexpected life- no visa, nowhere to live. Jing Jing’s story is one of grief, fortitude and an irrepressible belief in the importance of finding
happiness and joy in our lives.

Ali Kahwaji was forced to flee Iraq, leaving behind his family, friends, culture and community. His journey into the unknown eventually led him to a new life in Aotearoa New Zealand. Despite PTSD and the Christchurch terror attack Ali is building a future for himself and his family with hope, bravery and resilience.

Toshie Saito discovered her love for photography through her father and spent her childhood developing her skills with his mentorship. When he became sick and she as the only child had
to step up and help support the family, she was forced by him to put aside her passion. On her sixtieth birthday, she discovered an unexpected gift from her late father and the next amazing chapter of her life began. This episode is in Japanese.