About this season
An Adoption Story is an online series where we follow the lives of adoptees' with their journeys. Sitting down with Russian-New Zealand adoptee, Alex Gilbert to give an insight to their lives that may come with challenges along the way.
Episodes (5)
1. Ekaterina
Aired 21 June 2024
Ekaterina Clark's journey began in Syktyvkar, Russia, where she was adopted at the age of three. Raised in New Zealand, she shares her journey from childhood to discovering her roots and birth family, connecting past and present.
2. Ian
Aired 28 September 2024
Born in Waihi and adopted as an infant to Wellington, Ian discovered at 48 that he was adopted. With his daughter Yolande, he uncovered his Maori heritage, tracing his whakapapa back to the 1300s.
3. Valentina
Aired 15 December 2024
Adopted from Russia at four, Valentina grew up in Australia embracing her roots. In New Zealand, motherhood sparked a journey to uncover her past.
4. Victor
Aired 13 April 2025
Adopted from Velikiye Luki, Russia, at age four, Victor began a new life in Auckland, New Zealand. Now a science teacher and photographer in Christchurch, he continues to explore his roots and uncover the story of his biological mother.
5. Mark & Janice Gilbert
Aired 1 August 2025
Special Episode: Adoptive parents Janice and Mark Gilbert share their journey of adopting Alex and Andrei Gilbert from Russia in the 1990s and raising them in New Zealand.