Seventeen percent of New Zealand's population was born elsewhere. These migrants come from diverse backgrounds with needs and experiences that often differ from their host culture. In this exploratory qualitative study, individual interviews were used to examine the phenomena of experiencing two major life transitions simultaneously from the perspective of women from Goa, India. The first transition is that of migration and the second that of becoming a parent. This study of Goan women in Auckland found that food played a pivotal role in cultural maintenance and well-being in families during the peri-natal period. This was particularly so for Catholic Goans, who have a history of multiple and inter-generational migration and maintain a distinctive culture despite dispersal to many different parts of the world.

Ritual and networks are ways in which migrant families can preserve aspects of their "old life" whilst simultaneously striving to utilise the opportunities that migration presents. One of the ways in which rituals are protective of emotional well-being and cultural identity is through food preparation and dietary practices. At a time of major life change, traditional foods are a constant, something familiar that can anchor the individual. Goan women migrants carry their rituals with them into New Zealand. Food is a bridge between cultures, however it does not guarantee acceptance or understanding. For many cultures, Goan's included, food has a far greater significance than simply nourishment: It is medicinal, spiritual and a way of connecting with the past. Food is also a way of building and maintaining social relationships, interactions and contact through hospitality and celebration.