Interview Instead of a Hike

It so happened that Fanni and I decided to go on a trip to Piha Beach.

This beautiful coastal area is only a 40-minute drive from Auckland. It’s a long stretch of black sand beach, flanked by towering cliffs and hills on both sides. Our original plan was to hike up to a lookout by climbing the coastal rocks. However, we were a bit unprepared and forgot to check the weather forecast. On the day we set off, it started pouring with rain — but for some reason, that didn’t deter us, and we hit the road.By the time we arrived in Piha, the rain had only intensified. We walked down to the beach but had to admit that this was far from ideal hiking weather. So, we decided to take shelter in the Piha Surf Club.

Fanni ordered a vegan meal, and I went for my usual coffee: a cappuccino with two brown sugars, definitely not too hot. After placing the order, I sat back down with Fanni and told her the drinks would be here soon.Just then, a waitress called out to me from behind. It was the same girl who had just taken our coffee order.

“Sorry, but did I hear right — are you guys Hungarian?” she asked in Hungarian.

Fanni and I both widened our eyes, then turned around with big smiles and started chatting with the girl. Her name is Alexandra Bánki, or Szasza for short — a girl of Hungarian descent who lives here in New Zealand with her parents. The situation spoke for itself, and Szasza was kind enough to give us a little interview.

How long have you been living in New Zealand?I was born here and lived here until I was eight. But then my parents decided to move back to Hungary so we could be closer to family. So, we lived there for twelve years. Now they’ve decided to return to New Zealand again — they’ve been back for a year already, and I came to visit them for four months.

Are you going back to Hungary after this?Yes, all my stuff is back home — but after that, I’m heading to university.

What are your plans?If all goes well, then Barcelona. But Australia is also an option.

What did your parents do for work back in Hungary?My dad was a chef, and my mom worked in a travel agency.

What kind of Hungarian dishes can your dad cook?Fisherman’s soup, goulash. But even though he’s a great chef, he doesn’t usually cook at home.

Is there a special place in Hungary you remember fondly?Margaret Island. I have so many memories there, especially because of my friends. That’s also where we’d always take visitors — we’d ride bikes around the island every time.

Is the restaurant we’re in now owned by your family?No, my dad just works here.

Was this his previous job as well?No, back then we lived on Waiheke Island. He worked in a restaurant there too — he’s been a chef most of his life. Fun fact: he also lived in Australia, where he owned his own restaurant — that’s where he met my mom.

Do you have any siblings?Yes, I have a younger sister. She was born here on Waiheke Island. She’s here too — she often works with me, but right now she’s at school.

Was Hungarian the first language you both learned and used? Or did you mostly practice English?Actually, it was kind of the other way around.But my first word was Hungarian.

What was it?“Nem!” (“No!” – she says laughing)We practiced both languages equally, but English ended up being more like our first language. For example, when we first moved back to Hungary, I spoke Hungarian with a strong accent, and my sister didn’t speak Hungarian at all — she only knew English. But now the roles have flipped.

How did that change happen?At first, she couldn’t even talk to family members, but we enrolled her in school and kindergarten, and that’s where she learned. After that, she spent most of her life there. I was the opposite. Now I’m not even sure anymore. It’s all a mix.

At home, do you mostly speak Hungarian or English?Hungarian. We’ve gotten used to speaking Hungarian.The other day, I even teased my parents: “Since when are we such a Hungarian family?” We speak only Hungarian at home.I came here to brush up on my English accent — and then I go home, and we’re all speaking Hungarian again. When I go out, it takes me about an hour to switch back to English. (she says jokingly, laughing)

Have you found community in both places? Where do you feel more at home among friends?In Hungary, I’ve built up a pretty big social circle — after all, I lived there for twelve years. I’m 20 now, and I spent my high school years back home, so I’ve gathered quite a few friends there.But actually, it was really sweet — when I came back here, I reunited with my best friend, who I’ve known since birth, and we spent a lot of time together.I’ve made friends here too, but I still have more back home. If I stayed here longer, I’m sure I’d find more friends, but the social norms feel so different here. Back home, you hop on Metro Line 4 and bump into three people you know. Here, everyone’s in their own car. The only way to meet people is if you go out to party or something.

Do you go to Hungarian community events here?There was a Hungarian Festival and Market recently — I couldn’t make it, but my mom went. So yes, we do go to events when something’s on. My sister also went a few times when she first moved here because it was the only way to meet other Hungarians.

Last question: How do you like your stuffed cabbage — with a little sour cream or a lot?A lot of sour cream!

Interview by Darvasi Áron