Nelson / Tasman and Marlborough - Settling In

Nelson / Tasman

Nelson has always attracted large numbers of migrants; in 2008 Nelson had the third-largest percentage of migrants per population in New Zealand. Settling In began working in Nelson in 2004 and a Report was released in October 2005, setting out actions to improve the settlement experiences of local migrants with a focus on enhancing their access to resources and services. Since that time a huge amount has been achieved including:

• New resources - Settling In, in conjunction with Nelson Multicultural Council, developed a "Tips for Migrants" brochure to provide local information for newcomers to Nelson.

• Support for the Nelson Multicultural Council – Settling In works closely with the Council and provides support for the services of a fieldworker and a Multicultural Women’s Group. The fieldworker visits migrant families in their homes encouraging them to join local activities such as the Women’s Group and providing ongoing support for these families. The Women’s Group has been very effective and is now in its third year of operation. Visit www.nelsonmulticultural.co.nz
• Accessible services – Co-locating a number of services used by migrants has made a huge improvement to the accessibility of these services and how frequently they are used. In 2009 English Language Partners, Nelson Multicultural Council, Newcomers Network and the new Multicultural Resource Centre set up shop in centrally located premises (Bridge St) with street frontage.
• Nelson Multicultural Resource Centre – this centre opened in August 2009 with support from Settling In (for the shared community space) and is co-located with a range of other compatible services, providing immediate access to these services and a range of local resources.
• Health Sector Group – this group was formed during the initial Settling In work and still meets to address health issues for local migrants. The group is made up of representatives from Settling In, Nelson Multicultural Council, Refugee Services Aotearoa, Plunket, Nelson PHO, Nelson Marlborough District Health Board, Pregnancy Help and the Victory Community Health Centre. In 2009, the group produced a DVD on healthy living in New Zealand for the local Chin community (in both Chin language and English).

• Newcomers Networks - Networks have been established in both Nelson (2006) and Motueka (2008) and national support for the Networks is provided from Nelson. The national coordinator is based here and national events and gatherings have been held in both Nelson and Wellington. Visit www.newcomers.co.nz 
• "Speak Out Nelson Tasman" - The aim of the Speak Out project is to address race related crime and discrimination within the Nelson Tasman region, and to foster safety and mutual respect for people from all backgrounds and ethnicities. Settling In has played a major role in the development of this community project. In line with the recommendations in the report Towards a Reporting System for Racist Incidents in Nelson/Tasman, a reporting system for racist incidents in Nelson/Tasman has been established that provides several options to report incidents - through the website www.speakout.co.nz, by a toll free phone line and by face to face reporting at community reporting centres.
• Supporting Race Unity Day - this event is regularly supported by Settling In to help foster a greater appreciation of diversity within the wider Nelson community.
• Community development with former refugee communities - Settling In is working alongside members of the former refugee communities in Nelson to build capacity and capability of the executives of their associations, as well as focusing on project sustainability.
• ‘Top of the South' gatherings - Settling In organises regular gatherings with migrant centre / services staff and Newcomers Network coordinators from the ‘Top of the South' (Nelson/Tasman, Marlborough, West Coast ) to share successes, ideas and challenges.

Marlborough

Settling In began working in Marlborough following on from the Nelson work. Like Nelson, Marlborough is home to growing numbers of migrant workers and immigrants attracted by the lifestyle and climate. The Settling In process identified that the speed and scope of this population change was placing severe pressure on infrastructure such as health, housing and education and that there was a great need for improved services and resources and more opportunities for migrants to socialise and become part of their new community. Key developments include:

• Marlborough Migrant Centre – this centre was established in 2007, with support from Settling In, to help address the need for better access to services, resources and social opportunities. The Migrant Centre provides a range of services (including offering support, information contacts and referrals to migrants; networking in the district and beyond; running workshops; and promoting and celebrating cultural diversity in Marlborough). Settling In provides ongoing support to the Marlborough Migrant Centre with funding and regular support from Settling In coordinators. Visit www.marlboroughonline.co.nz/mmc
• Marlborough Migrant Centre coordinator and fieldworker – Settling In supports a coordinator to manage the running of the centre and a fieldworker who works in the community with migrant families.
• Accessible services – In 2009 the Marlborough Migrant Centre moved to ‘Marlborough House’ along with English Language Partners and Volunteer Marlborough, to provide better accessibility to services for local migrants.
• New resources – a “Tips for Migrants” brochure was developed in 2007 to provide local information for newcomers to Marlborough and a “Healthy Eating for Migrants” booklet was also developed.
• Newcomers Network – a Newcomers Network was established in Marlborough in 2008 to help bring together newcomers to the area and provide social opportunities. Visit www.newcomers.co.nz  
• Marlborough Multicultural Festival – Settling In supports this very popular festival which has been held annually since 2006 and helps to build an appreciation of diversity within the wider Marlborough community.
• ‘Top of the South’ gatherings – Settling In organises regular gatherings of migrant centre / services staff and Newcomers Network coordinators from the ‘Top of the South’ (Nelson/Tasman, Marlborough, West Coast ) to share successes, ideas and challenges.