Diana McKinstry left Bermuda when she was seven years old, but remembers it fondly as home.

Although she hasn’t been back since, there’s a lot to keep her memories intact from her home just outside Auckland, New Zealand — the Bermuda sand that she keeps by her bedside, and the Facebook group she started, Bermudians Around the World.

It allows about 1,300 people who claim a connection to the Island to reminisce about local holidays and traditions and share photos.

Mrs McKinstry’s parents, Derek and Carol Dempster, moved the family to New Zealand in 1971.

“I have been here in New Zealand for 43 years but will always consider myself to be a Bermudian,” she said.

“My mom, Carol, was Canadian and my dad, Derek Dempster, was born in England but moved to Bermuda at two years old as his father was stationed in Bermuda at Kindley Airfield in the Second World War.

“People I meet still ask me where I’m from, so I must still have an accent. I often wonder what my life would be like if I had the opportunity to stay in Bermuda.”

Mrs McKinstry said she frequently recalls happy times here as a child — swimming at John Smith’s Bay and relaxing by Flatts Inlet.

Her dream is to one day bring her own children and her husband Steve for a visit.

“I have many fond memories of happy family times there, especially with my paternal grandmother, Kathleen Dempster who was very good to me and my brothers,” she said. “I even have a bottle of Bermuda pink sand that I keep by my bed.

“I started Bermudians Around The World to create a community of people, who have connections with Bermuda, to share about Bermuda past and present. It started off as a group for Pacific-based Bermudians to connect. I started receiving messages from those around the world who wanted to join. So, I opened up the group to to people everywhere. Our members make it quite clear that Bermuda holds a special place in many hearts. One day, when I have the privilege of being there again, I am looking forward to catching up with old friends and meeting new ones! It’s wonderful to have new members joining every day.”

Her family left their Smith’s home after her parents saw some promotional ads about the advantages of emigrating to New Zealand.

They decided to check out the Pacific Ocean nation for themselves.

Mrs McKinstry remembers the culture shock she experienced when they first arrived.

It was colder, traffic flowed faster and the children played rugby outside in their bare feet in winter.

“One challenge of living here has just been being understood,” she said. “We had to let New Zealanders know that being different and coming from a different country is okay.

“It was also hard keeping warm in the winter here, dealing with missing family and friends and getting used to paying taxes.”

Overall she’s adapted well to the outdoor culture in New Zealand.

“Life here is faster than Bermuda, but not like big cities around the world,” she said.

“Since New Zealand is mainly one big coastline around three main islands [North, South and Stewart], we also enjoy water-based activities at beaches, lakes and rivers. New Zealand also has many hills and mountains so people enjoy seasonal activities like tramping [hill walking] and skiing.

“One thing I found is that Kiwis are explorers. There are some lovely white sand beaches here and even some with a tinge of pink, but nothing like I remember in Bermuda!”

Mrs McKinstry lives just north of Auckland, in an area called Hibiscus Coast.

Her parents chose it because of its beaches and outdoor spots.

“I would say family time is important to most here,” she said. “I work for an organisation called The Parenting Place and we promote the role of family in society while equipping parents/caregivers in their important roles.

“I also write a column in our local paper called Family Times and am involved in many community initiatives. I have just started an outdoor nature playgroup for parents and their young children.”

While New Zealand is the only home her children have ever known, Mrs McKinstry regularly shares family stories and traditions from Bermuda with them.

Her advice to anyone looking to move to her part of the world is to make connections with residents first if at all possible.

“I would encourage people to engage with their local Newcomers Network and other organisations that can help you make the transition into the Kiwi way of life,” she said. “Overall, New Zealanders are peaceful, social and willing to be neighbourly.”