Motherhood & Migration

Kia ora, Hola, Hello!

My name is Romina Meneses. I am a Chilean-born theatre-maker based in Pōneke.

I am currently developing a new theatre work exploring motherhood, migration and identity and particularly what happens to our sense of self when we become mothers while living away from the country, culture and communities we grew up in.

As part of my creative research, I am inviting migrant mothers living in Aotearoa to share their experiences.

You can check out my theatre work in instagram or Facebook if you want! ✨ @southartscollective

About the questions:

You can write OR voice record your answers! (You can talk up to 5 minutes per question)

IMPORTANT INFO!

By submitting this form, you give us permission to use your written responses and/or audio recordings as part of the creative research and development of our theatre show.

Your responses, including audio recordings, may be used, quoted, adapted or incorporated into the script and performance.

We won't ask personal information (name, address, phone number) so please don't share anything you wouldn't want to be shared on the show.
Your story will remain anonymous.

By submitting your responses, you confirm that you understand and agree to these terms.

My aim is to advocate for and make visible the experiences of us; mothers and migrants, and the sometimes invisible, incredible work we do every day.

Thank you for trusting me with your story✨

1. Where are you originally from, and how long have you been living in Aotearoa?

2. Did you become a mother in Aotearoa or you migrated with your family?

3. What do you remember most vividly about your postpartum period? (You can answer in writing or by voice recording your response in the next section)

You can voice record answer number 3 here.

4. Is there something about motherhood or raising children in your home country that you miss / don’t miss? (You can answer in writing or by recording your response.)

You can voice record answer number 4 here.

5. What is the biggest cultural difference you have noticed between becoming a mom in Aotearoa and becoming a mom in your home country? (You can answer in writing or by recording your response)

You can voice record number 5 answer here.

6. Before becoming a mother, who were you? And who are you now? (You can answer in writing or by recording your response)

You can voice record number 6 answer here.

7. Have you ever felt like you were “disappearing” into motherhood? If so, what does that feeling mean to you? (You can answer in writing or by recording your response)

You can voice record number 7 answer here.

8. What has been the toughest part about returning to work after having a baby? And, if your work is in the arts sector, was your creativity impacted by having a baby? (You can answer in writing or by recording your response)

You can voice record number 8 answer here.

9. Have you ever considered returning back home with your family or you discovered Aotearoa is the right place to be?

You can voice record number 9 answer here.

Anything else you would like to share?