Case story: Nelson Newcomers Network

Almost every day of the week you'll find members of the Nelson Newcomers Network meeting up.

Coffee mornings, a toddlers and mums group, film evenings, and outside activities such as archery are just some of the things happening. At a weekly quiz night at the Sprig and Fern Tavern you'll often find three or four newcomer teams participating. Members flock to events run by the Network or by organisations they link with.

Since Nelson Newcomers was launched in June 2006 it has attracted a high level of participation. At any one time up to 200 people are involved. Further afield, new Newcomers Networks are being formed around the country.

People both new to country and those shifting within New Zealand can join. As it says on the website “You are welcome, regardless of your age, your nationality or the language you speak.”

The Network was formed after a series of focus groups run in Nelson as part of a Settling In community project run by FACS. One thing migrants new to the city said is that it is hard to meet people.

After hearing about a newcomers network running in Ashburton from Deputy Mayor Gail Collingwood, the Nelson Multi-Ethnic Council (NMEC) proposed the idea of a network for new Nelsonians. Seed funding from FACS has turned the idea into a reality. Support is also received from Nelson City Council, Tasman District Council, Canterbury Community Trust and Department of Internal Support for Volunteering fund.

Among the goals is helping people join social networks so they are able to settle more quickly into their community.

“We provide a way of stepping in so that isolation doesn't become a factor in someone's settlement process,” says Claire Nichols, the Network's coordinator.

Emphasis is placed on being welcoming and friendly. At every event there is someone responsible for welcoming new people and introducing them to others. This sounds simple, but it is not something you should take for granted.

“For a lot of people it's scary to go into a new social setting and not know anybody. It really moves them outside their comfort zone. By having somebody welcoming and friendly, it breaks down those barriers,” Claire says. 

With friendliness at the core, members are busy forming friends, finding companions. One encounter at a social event has led to the Network's first marriage. 

Feedback from members is positive. A survey about whether people are satisfied with what is offered was strongly positive: 98% of replies said the Network met or exceeded their expectations.

“It may sound strange, but we see people moving on from the Newcomers Network as a positive thing... it means they've found their feet”, says Claire.

The Network continues to come under the auspices of NMEC. A stand-alone committee supported by lots of volunteers and a coordinator working half a day a week keep things ticking over. Particularly important are the seven activity coordinators who take the initiative to run events. The Coordinator keeps people motivated, sends out a monthly newsletter and links people up.

“That's one of the great things about the Network. With local volunteers so involved the host community is able to welcome newcomers into their region,” says Claire. 

There is a close link with the NMEC fieldworker so if people need extra settlement support it can be easily accessed. Activities in neighbouring Motueka include a drop-in centre once a week at the local Community House, which is proving very popular for people new to the region. Nelson Volunteer Centre works in closely with the Network: 58% of Volunteer Nelson's clients being newcomers in the past year. This is described as a perfect partnership. 

Nelson is sharing its experiences with others around the country. In addition to existing networks, there are now ones in Whakatane, Selwyn, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, Whangarei and Rotorua. People are talking about setting them up in other centres too.

The idea of helping people get to know each other is infectious. A little bit of help can go along way.

What Nelson Newcomers Network members are saying

This is a great way for people new to the district to feel more settled and part of the community. Well done and thank you! - Heather

Everyone is so welcoming and kind to us. We got some advice, found a kindergarten for our boy, it helps me improve my English. It's so fine! - Cathy

It is nice to meet new people and do a bit of socialising instead of job and house hunting. It is a brilliant idea and I am still interested in the activities. - Jane

Lessons to share

• Form a committee and draw on the interests, skills and passions of each person
• A culture of being deliberately welcoming and friendly means people attending an event for the first time will come back again
• Cater for different needs and varying availability by organising a range of activities.