West Coast and Canterbury - Settling In
This page contains examples of projects and activities that Settling In has supported in West Coast and Canterbury
West Coast
In recent years, the West Coast has become home to growing numbers of migrant workers and their families. The geography of the Coast compounds issues experienced by all newcomers in relation to isolation and loneliness. The focus of Settling In work has been on helping to connect people and foster opportunities for ‘new coasters’ to feel welcome and become part of the fabric of the wider West Coast community. Key developments include:
- ‘New Coasters’ – this overarching body was established in 2008 in response to the Settling In West Coast Report (released in September 2008) and the identified need for strengthened migrant support and service provision. The role of New Coasters is to provide high quality settlement services to all migrants throughout the West Coast region (this includes the provision of Migrant Employment Assistance through a contract with Work and Income). The New Coasters manager has an office in Greymouth, and there are 2 satellite workers based in Buller REAP (Rural Education & Activities Programme) and West REAP (Hokitika).
- New Coasters is supported by Settling In, Development West Coast, Department of Internal Affairs and a number of local organisations. It has a governance committee (with migrant, employer and local and central government agency representatives) from Hokitika, Greymouth and Westport overseeing the strategic governance of the organisation. One of the aims of New Coasters is to stimulate changes in attitudes within the host community towards other cultures and to promote the positive aspects of diversity within the population. New Coasters supports, initiates and fosters a range of events and activities to connect migrants and newcomers to their new home on the West Coast. Support and commitment from local employers has been considerable and has been a key feature of the ongoing success of New Coasters.
- Diversity Dinner – New Coasters hosted its first ‘Diversity Dinner’ in March 2010 to celebrate Race Relations Day and acknowledge the 41 different nationalities represented on the Coast. The dinner was a great success, attended by local MPs and mayors, representatives from the Human Rights Commission, the Ministry of Social Development and other government agencies, local employers and a number of migrants.
- Newcomers Networks – are available in Greymouth, Westport, Reefton and Hokitika. Visit www.newcomers.co.nz
- ‘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.
Canterbury
Settling In began working in Canterbury during the early stages of the initiative with an initial focus on supporting those refugees and migrants residing in Christchurch city. Christchurch is home to a large number of former refugees from a diverse range of homelands. This work involved strengthening links between different communities and refugee and migrant services, youth leadership development and capacity building / community development work with refugee and migrant communities. Since that time the focus has broadened to incorporate issues faced by the growing numbers of migrants moving to rural Canterbury and to address issues around parenting, family violence and family safety.
- Newcomers Networks – There is a well established Selwyn Newcomers Network operating in Rolleston (20 minutes south of Christchurch) and a fledgling Network currently in development in Ashburton. Both areas have had recent influxes of migrants shifting to the region for employment. Visit www.newcomers.co.nz
- Supporting migrants in rural areas – In recent years Canterbury has attracted a number of skilled migrants who are taking up employment opportunities in dairying and other local industries. There are particular issues for these migrants who may experience high levels of isolation on farms and limited opportunities to socialise and connect with their new community. Settling In has supported the Ashburton community (which has identified migrant issues as a priority) including support for the Newcomers Network, which is being launched on 27th July 2010.
- A recent focus has been on connecting with migrants in the wider Culverdon area which also has a growing migrant population, including large numbers from the Philippines and Latin America. As in Ashburton, many of the migrants here are taking up job opportunities on dairy farms and face a range of settlement challenges. Recent support activities have included events run by a local ‘welcoming committee’ (with representatives from Settling In, Internal Affairs, Hurunui District Council and North Canterbury Enterprise) involving sharing of food, cultural performances and opportunities to socialise. An online newsletter is also in development to keep people informed and in touch with one another.
- Collaborative, accessible services – Settling In works with a range of refugee and migrant services in Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region in order to provide effective services for local newcomers and collaborative solutions to the address the issues that arise. Recent efforts are focused on improving the accessibility of services.
- Working collaboratively to support former refugee communities – Settling In has been working in partnership with Ngāi Tahu iwi, Refugee Services, Christchurch Resettlement Services (and other agencies as appropriate) to run a series of hui around family safety and family violence issues. The three hui have been held at the Rehua urban marae in Christchurch each with a different focus and audience – women, men and youth. The outcomes from these hui will be used by the different communities to determine future actions to address the issues raised.
- Settling In has also been working with the Canterbury Refugee Council and the Community Law Centre who have been running a series of seminars on legal issues and rights for the local refugee community. The seminars are held monthly and are very popular and well attended.
- Support for Hagley Community College – Hagley Community College is the largest provider of refugee education in New Zealand. Seventy per cent of refugees resettling in Christchurch attend the College for formal and informal education sessions. Settling In supports the College through its contribution towards the services of a part-time Refugee Programme Coordinator. The Coordinator oversees and plans a range of activities for local refugees (eg the Hagley Healthy Girls Initiative, Home Maintenance for Refugee Men).
- Support for Christchurch Resettlement Services – Settling In provides funding and support to this organisation, which delivers a range of social work services to local refugee community members. Recent influxes of Bhutanese refugee families with a range of complex needs have increased the demand for these services in Christchurch.
