Grounded Kiwi Ingrid Altena shares her story of despair from NSW.

Grounded Kiwi Ingrid Altena shares her story of despair from NSW.

Thanks Bruce,
I am stuck in NSW, have resigned from my job and let go of my rental on the premise of getting home following the Government's home isolation announcement last year.

I also gave my tenants in NZ their 62 days notice - they left after 2 weeks so I have an empty cottage with no rental income to assist me with paying the mortgage.

I have tried many many times to get into the MIQ via the abhorrent lottery allocations unsuccessfully.
Every time I dissolve into tears as I desperately want to see my children and my grandchild, not to mention all of my siblings and my 89 year old mum.

My 21 year old son living with me here in Australia starts university at Waikato this year - we are both very stressed and upset that he can't start his study. His anxiety is through the roof and to be honest most days I am in tears not knowing what the hell I am going to do.

I am a mental health clinician and frankly, my own mental health is in a terrible state due to being locked out of my own country.

I have a job to go to in New Zealand working with trauma victims, I am fearful that won't be left open for me which is also upsetting as I am very passionate about working in this area.

Ironically the Government decision to lock us out is causing further trauma to thousands of us.

Thanks for listening and for caring about those of us who can't come home.

Ingrid

Ingrid Altena