1. Settlement Support New Zealand
Auckland City – Tāmaki-makau-rau
Poutu te rangi (March) 2011/Issue 27
Haere Mai, Nau Mai, Haere Mai
Kei te pēhea koutou? How are you all? Welcome to the twenty-seventh
Settlement Support New Zealand—Auckland City Newsletter.
The purpose of this newsletter is to provide you with information about what
Settlement Support – Auckland City does, and where you can find information
about employment, education, health services and many other aspects of
settling in New Zealand. This is also an opportunity to share with you the
services and activities available around Auckland City.
Bevan Chuang, Settlement Please feel free to pass on this newsletter onto friends, family and community
Support Coordinator –
Auckland City colleagues.
Updates from Settlement Support New Zealand – Auckland City
Client and Service Providers Enquiries
177 people visited SSNZ Auckland City/ARMS Three Kings during February 2011 Of
these figures, 133 were first time clients. Nearly 40% of the clients contacted SSNZ
Auckland about finding employment; 10% wanted information about
cultural/community and Learning English, and around 6% wanted information
about Employment Rights and Daily Life.
The majority of our clients in February were from China (23%), India (17%),
Philippines (8%), Sri Lanka (6%) and Japan, New Zealand, and USA around 2 – 3%.
Many of them have permanent residence in New Zealand, 20% were family
members of skilled migrants, 21% were skilled migrants, 7% with work-to-residents
permits. 19% had work permits, 12% with student permits, 4% on visitor permits and 3% from overseas.
Almost 52% of the clients had been in New Zealand less than 2 years, with 13% having been here longer than 2 years and 27%
more than 5 years.
There were 8 service providers to service providers’ referrals from 5 service providers, related to financial assistant,
interpreters/translators, rental/temporary accommodation.
Christchurch Earthquake Support in Auckland
Together with Ivan Yeo from Mental Health Foundation, Jessica Phuang from Settling In, Ministry of Social Development, SSNZ
Auckland and ARMS had coordinated a meeting looking at Canterbury Earthquake Support here in Auckland. After the
earthquake, an estimated 70,000 people have evacuated from Christchurch and approximately 1/3 of evacuees will end up in
Auckland (http://bit.ly/hYbVXP). There are currently three reception centres in Auckland, at Auckland airport, Lambie Drive in
Manukau Road, and Whenuapai, and at least 2,000 have registered at the centres.
The purpose of the meeting is to coordinate all services that have the capacities and abilities to provide services to evacuees and
helpers of migrants and refugees background. The first meeting attracted more than 25 attendees from NGOs, health, religious
organisations, central and local government agencies. Some of the issues raised included cultural appropriateness,
accommodation matching, post-traumatic assistance, exhaustion, etc.
A weekly meeting have been scheduled. If you would like further information or be involved, please contact Bevan Chuang at
bevanc@arms-mrc.org.nz or (09) 625 3093.
History of Immigration in New Zealand
A new current affairs show by TVNZ7 called Hindsight, which looks at current issues through the lens of history, examined the
history of immigration in New Zealand in the recent episode. You can check it out on: http://bit.ly/eSwkhU

2. News
FAQs for people affected by the Earthquake
Earthquake Government Helpline
Government Helpin: 0800 77 999 7
Child Youth and Family: 0508 326 459
Immigration Matters
Please contact the contact centre on 0508 55 88 55. It’s open between 7am and 7pm seven days a week. You can visit
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/branch/ChristchurchBranchHome/News/quakefaq.htm for further information.
Settlement Support for newcomers
 SSNZ Auckland on 09 625 3093
 SSNZ Manukau on 09 262 5983
 SSNZ North Shore on 09 480 9625
 SSNZ Waitakere on 09 837 4273
Missing Persons Information
Please call 0800 733 276
Embassies/High Commissions and Consulates
You can visit the website www.consularcorpsauckland.org.nz for a full list of consular contacts and services.
Interpreting Services
 Interpreting New Zealand: 0508 468 377
 Refugees As Survivors: 0800 472 769 (Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Arabic or Burmese)
 CAB Language Link: 0800 78 88 77
 Language Line: 0800 5656 656
Counselling Services
 Lifeline: 0800 543 354
 Chinese Lifeline: 0800 888 880 or 09 522 2088
 Asian Family Hotline (by Problem Gambling Foundation): 0800 862 342
 Chinese New Settlers Services Trust: 09 570 1188 or info@cnsst.org.nz
 Affinity Services: 09 526 0320
 Relationship Services: 0800 735 283
 Auckland Regional Migrant Services: 09 625 2440
Volunteers
 Auckland Regional Migrant Services are looking for volunteers to assist with post-quake response. Please contact 09 625 2440.
 Volunteering Auckland is also looking for volunteers to assist organisations such as Red Cross and Salvation Army. Please contact
09 377 7887.
International Students
 National Tertiary Education Consortium (NTEC) would like to assist schools and students affected by offering places in their
existing course and classes.
 Drop-in Services available at the Auckland Central Library. Contact Jessica Phuang, Project Manager, International Students,
Ministry of Social Development at 09 632 9425 or 027 478 2155.
For further and up-to-date information, please visit our website http://www.arms-mrc.org.nz.

3. What’s Coming Up?
Workshops
*All free and conducted in English unless otherwise stated.
Job Search Workshop
1st and 14th February, 9.30am—3.00pm
Workshop to assist with your job search. Held in conjunction with Career Services and the
Auckland Chamber of Commerce and other agencies.
Legal Clinics
Fridays, 9.30am—12.00pm
Heval Hylan, Principal of Hylan Law Barrister & Solicitor, will be providing free 10-minutes legal
advice on immigration, family law, contract, trusts and other areas of law in general.
Free Counselling Services to support newcomers to New Zealand
Fridays, 9.30am – 12.30pm
Making a new life in a foreign country can sometimes be difficult to cope with and can
sometimes feel overwhelming. Talking with someone who understands may help you
to make sense of what’s happening and assist you to move forward with confidence
and hope. Bookings Essential
Free English Advisory Clinics
Tuesdays, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Do you have questions about your English skills? Do you require referral to suitable providers
and course? Our English language Advisor can provide you with a 20 minutes consultation and
referrals to suitable providers and courses. Note: For individual consultation and assessment,
please contact ARMS Reception for further information.
Banking and Finance Workshop
Wednesday 23rd March, 9.00am – 3.00pm
Learn about New Zealand’s CV styles, and what Banking & Finance interview is like. Gain
knowledge on NZ Employers perspectives on banking and finance related skills. Learn on tips &
practical information on job searching in banking and finance industries. Gain knowledge on the
expectation of recruitment agencies.
Treaty of Waitangi Workshop
Saturday, 26th March, 9.00am – 3.00pm
Learn more about the history of New Zealand. Find out what the Treaty of Waitangi means for
you as a new New Zealander. Learn how to respond to questions about the Treaty in job
interviews. Participants will be awarded a Certificate of Participation.
HR Seminar
Thursday, 31st March, 9.00am – 3.00pm
Learn about New Zealand Human Resources, Human Resources interview tips, New Zealand
employment legislation, Human Resources Institute of New Zealand.
For more information or to register contact ARMS on 09 625 2440 or reception@arms-mrc.org.nz.
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4. Auckland Fact Sheet
Auckland Welfare Advisory Group 2 March 2011
Where to find help in Auckland
If you have just arrived in Auckland from Christchurch there are many agencies that can help you, your
family and whānau following the earthquake. Here’s a brief outline of the services and support available in
Auckland.
Emergency assistance
 Call the Earthquake Government Helpline on 0800 779 997 for information and emergency
financial support. Its open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
 If you arrive at Auckland Airport, you can get emergency assistance at the Auckland reception
centre, located at Faith City Church, 13 Lambie Drive, Manukau. There is a shuttle from the airport
to this reception centre.
 If you arrive at Whenuapai Airport, you can get immediate assistance at the Whenuapai Reception
Centre when you get off the plane.
 The reception centres are staffed by a range of agencies who can provide immediate support.
These include the Auckland Council, Red Cross, Victim Support and the Ministry of Social
Development.
Help finding accommodation
Auckland Council is providing assistance to people affected by the Christchurch earthquake. You will
receive help with emergency temporary accommodation for up to three days and may also be linked with
other agencies. To access this assistance visit one of the three reception centres that are located at
Auckland Airport, Whenuapai Airport and the Faith City Church, 13, Lambie Drive, Manukau. They are
open from 8.30am-10pm daily with extended opening hours for later flights.
Housing New Zealand can help you find emergency temporary accommodation and longer-term
accommodation. Contact them on 0800 HELP 00 (0800 435 700). Auckland property owners or
households with accommodation to offer can also call this number. For more information go to
www.housinghelp.govt.nz
Civil Defence payments
You may be eligible for Civil Defence payments, which are available for a range of circumstances. For
example, if you’ve had to leave your home as a result of the quake then Civil Defence payments can help
you with accommodation costs. They can assist with the purchase of essential and emergency items, and
are also available for those who have suffered a loss of income.
To find out about payments, call the Government Helpline on 0800 779 997.
Other financial assistance
You can contact Work and Income on 0800 559 009. All locations are open Monday to Friday 8:30 am to
5:00 pm, Wednesday 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, unless listed otherwise. To see a list of where these offices are
located go to the web site http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/about-work-and-income/contact-us/find-a-
service-centre/

5. Medical and pharmaceutical services
If you are unwell or need a prescription, please go to the general medical centre closest to the place you
are currently staying. They will be able to assist with general health needs. If you’re staying with friends or
family, please use their GP.
For repeat prescriptions, please go directly to a community pharmacy. Take your medication in pharmacy
labelled packaging, or documentation concerning your prescribed medication and current identification.
If you are pregnant, please contact the maternity department of the nearest District Health Board.
For any health inquiries please contact Health Line on 0800 611 116, 24 hours.
Support and counselling services
If you, your family or someone you know needs someone to talk to, we can put you in touch with a range of
support and counselling services for free. For someone to talk to call 0800 777 846.
Alternatively, you can go to the Family Services Directory, an online database of family support services
at www.familyservices.govt.nz
Additional Auckland support and counselling providers are listed below:
The Red Cross is based at the Auckland reception centres at Lambie Drive, Manukau, and Whenuapai
Airport or you can go to www.redcross.org.nz.
Victim Support provides support and counselling 24 hours a day on 0800 Victim (842 846) or you can go
to www.victimsupport.org.nz.
The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) provides free information, advice, support and advocacy. Telephone
0800 367 222 for a CAB near you or go to www.cab.org.nz. You can also call the CAB Language Link on
0800 78 88 77 (Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm) if you need help with a language other than English.
Schooling
The Ministry of Education’s website is the best source for up-to-date information about schools and early
childhood centres, go to www.minedu.govt.nz. Students are able to attend the school in the zone of their
accommodation. Schools should be informed of any special education requirements so suitable support
can be arranged.
If you have any education related enquiries you can also contact the Ministry of Education on 0800 225
580 or email well.being@minedu.govt.nz.
Māori support services
All enquiries for Iwi and Māori support, please contact Te Puni Kōkiri on 0800 875 839 or go to
www.tpk.govt.nz.
Ethnic Support
For migrants and refugees there is support available. Language Line is available on the Government
Helpline or you can call the settlement support helpline 0800 776 948. Settlement Support New Zealand
provides support, advice and links to the services that new migrants need.