Klara Luxford-Rulisek listed six things she'd need before agreeing to move to New Zealand with her hubby.

They were a front loader washing machine, Lindt chocolate, gherkins, sauerkraut, quark, and a home not too far from a shoe shop. 'They'd be things that I'd miss too much,” laughs Klara.

Pete and Klara Luxford-Rulisek. Photo: Tracy Hunt.

Kiwi husband Pete must've fulfilled her wishes because they're here. They moved here on the 11th day of the 11th month in 2011. Yes that's 11/11/11.

Klara was working as an au pair [nanny] in London before getting a job in a local pub. That's where she met Pete. They lived in London for a wee while, going back and forth to Czech Republic at least five times a year, before marrying there.

In 2005, Pete brought Klara to New Zealand. That's when she put forward her unusual proposal of sauerkraut and gherkins, and they moved to Tauranga on September 11. Pete has family roots here.

'Most of the Czech Republic is used to the high-density living,” says Klara. 'You're looking at blocks of flats, rather than individual houses.

'Population-wise, New Zealand has about four million and Czech Republic has got 10.5 million, but the area is much smaller than New Zealand.”

Although she misses certain things about her birthplace, Klara's still happy to call New Zealand home.

'I miss the proximity of things to other countries and the ability to travel further to other countries. Whereas here if you want to go anywhere it's a big trip.

'But I just love New Zealand being so close to nature and having the sea so close to me. Czech Republic is land-locked.”

In 2013, Klara joined the Czech and Slovak Club in Tauranga, which is running Multicultural Tauranga's next Living in Harmony event on October 7.

Multicultural Tauranga hosts a free monthly Living in Harmony event to showcase and get to know the various cultures of people who live in the Tauranga region.

The Czech and Slovak Republic event will include performances of traditional dances and songs, followed by a presentation about both countries.

Guests are encouraged to bring a plate of food to share showcasing traditional Czech and Slovak cuisine.

Traditional food includes roast meats, including pork, geese or duck served with dumplings and sauerkraut or sweet cabbage.

The Living Harmony event is at Historic Village on October 7, from 7pm-9pm.