As an animator, Siew Wee H’ng follows her inspiration on a daily basis, but even she had no idea the journey would one day lead her from Malaysia all the way to Aotearoa, landing her a dream job – and her dream guy!
In 2014, Siew Wee – whose work can be seen in the new animated kids’ show Riddle Me This – was working in a coveted 3D animation role at one of Malaysia’s biggest studios when she found herself increasingly frustrated at work.
“I was still a newbie and super-passionate about the artistic side of animation,” tells Siew Wee, now 35.
“Quite often, my ideas would get rejected for being too experimental. I knew I needed a break to seek out a new perspective.
“My friend had been to New Zealand on a six-month working holiday picking fruit. I thought, ‘That’d definitely be something different!'”
There was just one hitch – Siew Wee was in a happy two-year relationship and wasn’t sure how to tell her partner Euhau, 41, what she wanted to do.
“I had a sleepless night because I was so nervous,” recalls Siew Wee, who had fallen for the photographer’s focus and passion. “I was torn about being away, but I really wanted to go.”
The couple agreed Siew Wee should go and Euhau would follow for a holiday three months later. “Of course, after my first day picking fruit, I was like, ‘Oh, this is really not for me,'” laughs Siew Wee, who then moved from Te Puke to Auckland to find a better fit for her talents.
Landing a job at a design agency, the animator was overjoyed to find her passion for experimentation was welcomed.
Siew Wee marvels, “They gave us time to experiment, and I got to incorporate drawing and sketching. I was so overwhelmed that I was picked to do something this fun.”
Siew Wee’s playful animation takes all forms – stop motion, paper cut-outs, drawing and puppets.
When Euhau arrived in New Zealand, the couple rented a campervan and travelled the South Island, marvelling at the gorgeous landscapes. “Then one night, near Franz Josef, Euhau proposed,” remembers Siew Wee. “He must’ve been like, ‘I really want this girl – I need to find a way to keep her!'”
Love was in the air – and not only between the couple. Euhau had also been struck by Aotearoa’s beauty and, to Siew Wee’s surprise, suggested they make the move permanent.
However, in order for Euhau’s visa to be approved, the newly-engaged pair were forced to spend nearly a year apart while they waded through red tape.
“Long-distance was really hard,” admits Siew Wee. “We’d keep each other updated all the time via text and talking on the phone, but it was so difficult. When we saw each other again, Euhau had lost a lot of weight. He was like, ‘It’s because you weren’t around!’
“During this time, whenever I didn’t know what to do, I’d go to Woodhill Forest to take some experimental photos to take my mind off it.
Siew Wee and Euhau’s magical wedding in Woodhill Forest.
“When Euhau finally came, I brought him to the same spot and he loved it. It’s such a special place to us, we decided to have our wedding here, with all our close friends and family from Malaysia, as well as our new Kiwi friends. It was a big wedding!”
These days, Siew Wee runs her own animation and design studio, Pixelpush, with fellow artist Han Law. Together, they’ve worked on projects like the TVNZ+ cartoon Riddle Me This, created by Outrageous Fortune star Michelle Ang, which features Kiwi kids working together to solve tricky riddles.
“It was the best job ever because we were allowed to do anything!” smiles Siew Wee. “It was a lot of fun because we could go really wild with the animation.”
Eight years after her life-changing move, Siew Wee couldn’t be happier with where life has taken her. “I love how friendly the people in New Zealand are,” she says, “and I love the light here, especially during winter.”
Siew Wee knows her gut led her in the right direction in coming to Aotearoa. “I had no back-up plan,” she smiles. “I just trusted my instinct and rolled with what came my way – and I’m so glad I did!”
