Update from Settlement Protection and Attraction Division, New Zealand Immigration,

1. THE SPA UPDATE SETTLEMENT PROTECTION & ATTRACTION DIVISION
JULY 2011 INTRODUCTION ISSUE: 4
IN THIS ISSUE Kia ora
[headers are linked. click to go]
Welcome to this July edition of the For individual migrants we now
Introduction SPA Update. contact them via email immediately
Settlement Services Unit after they receive residence, offering
This last financial year has certainly
Refugee Services Unit
a range of settlement services to
had its challenges and successes.
assist them to settle quickly and
Settlement Strategy Christchurch remains a focus for
well.
us. Where they have needed access
Settlement Support (SSNZ)
to high end skills not available in By the end of September I hope to
RSE Strategic Management Unit New Zealand, such as engineers, we have this service made available to
Resources have worked closely with industry to people being approved a temporary
assist them to access the people they work visa, and to international
need overseas. students.
The consequences for the refugee Part of the new approach is
programme continue with no new developing new online settlement
resettlements into Christchurch for services, with a separate area
the foreseeable future. focusing on support for employers.
In the refugee world we had a very We are also celebrating the fact that
successful World Refugee Day event the Recognised Seasonal Employer
at our Mangere Refugee Resettlement Scheme (supplying mainly Pacific
Centre on Sunday June 19th. workers for the horticulture and
viticulture industries) recently won
I was immensely impressed with
an IPANZ award for public sector
the engagement of 14 different
excellence.
SPA Division General Manager, refugee background communities,
Stephen Dunstan.
contributing in such rich ways to the The scheme is an excellent
broader New Zealand community. demonstration of how government,
industry and sending countries
Recently we stepped up our support
Subscription/distribution can all benefit by working together
for employers of new migrants so
THE SPA UPDATE is for those whose work to achieve improved productivity
they make the most of the diversity
supports the settlement, protection and and quality for growers, good
attraction of skilled migrants and other and talent they have employed, with
development outcomes for Pacific
newcomers in New Zealand. the aim of retaining these people in
nations, and economic growth.
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or view and/or their workplaces.
change your contact details, please email
Enjoy this newsletter!
settlementinformation@dol.govt.nz with New Zealand needs the skills, global
’The SPA Report’ in the subject line.
networks and new ways of working Kind regards,
To give feedback, please email:
chris.clarke@dol.govt.nz that these migrants bring.
Stephen.

2. SETTLEMENT UNIT
Welcome to New Zealand email The first emails have been sent
to new visa holders to new Permanent Resident
On Friday June 24 Immigration holders only. Further emails
New Zealand sent its first ever will be introduced in stages, with
direct emails to new visa holders messages appropriate for each of
providing information and the many visa types INZapproves
links to the five key settlement each year.
services it funds to assist new Initial response has been rapid
migrants in their initial stages of and positive, with emails back
settlement in New Zealand. to both the national office email
However, as more attention is and to regional SSNZ initiatives.
Until now, direct communications
from Immigration New Zealand focused on the relevance of good More statistics from subsequent
(INZ) to visa holders have settlement in ensuring the best mail-outs will be available
been almost exclusively from immigration outcomes for both soon, commencing a tracking
Immigration branches, recognising newcomers and New Zealand, database that should also assist
the importance of maintaining the potential benefits of directly in improving the message’s impact
clarity of communication with visa promoting these settlement and relevance over time.
applicants through the application services are receiving more For more information, contact:
process. recognition. settlementinformation@dol.govt.nz
Trailblazers booklet celebrates entrepreneurial migrant women
The Department of Labour and Regional Settlement Strategy,
the Office of Ethnic Affairs are the stories tell of each woman’s
proud to have supported the background (all very different)
production of a new booklet and some of the reasons for
by the Department of Internal their success - which in many
Affairs, focusing on the success of cases the women themselves put
seven remarkable recent migrants down to New Zealand’s open and
to New Zealand. encouraging society.
Each has independently become a In his introduction to the booklet,
For copies of
very successful businesswoman, Immigration New Zealand DCE
the Booklet,
with very positive results for Nigel Bickle notes the many
email:
themselves and their families, aspects of what we admire as
michael.mendoza@dia.govt.nz
their communities and the elements of Kiwi character shown
- and you can listen to an RNZ
country as a whole. by the subjects - independence,
National radio interview with two
hard work, and a willingness to
Funded by the Department of trailblazers here.
think and act outside the square.
Labour through the Auckland
Worker rights awareness for migrant workers
The Division and the Department’s The new factsheet will be included
Labour Group have cooperated on with all work visa approval
a new factsheet which advises new letters from late July, and is also
migrants about their work rights available on the Immigration New
in New Zealand, and provides Zealand website in English and
contacts for further information. several other languages: www.
immigration.govt.nz/workrights
SPA DIVISION – SETTLEMENT, PROTECTION AND ATTRACTION 2

3. REFUGEE SERVICES UNIT
Giving trees to the MRRC so new arrivals’ main view of they are asking people to ‘donate
SPA Update readers may be their new country is a high fence, a tree’.
interested in supporting the required as it is a containment One tree costs $20. If you are
tree donation project which is facility, and a long wall of interested in supporting the
being run by Immigration New containers. project, email: noor.parkar@dol.
Zealand’s Refugee Quota Branch RQB staff have been working to govt.nz for account details.
(RQB) for the Mangere Refugee plant trees along this perimeter All donors will receive a
Reception Centre in Auckland. which will eventually provide a 'Certificate of Appreciation'
The reception centre sits next more welcoming aspect, however signed by our General Manager.
to large container storage area, this is not a funded activity - so
World Refugee Day open day at Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre
Over 450 people including 14 The displays and stories from
former refugee communities from refugee communities highlighted
across New Zealand recognised their journeys to New Zealand,
World Refugee Day with an Open and their many contributions
Day at the Mangere Refugee since their arrival.
Resettlement Centre, on Sunday The feeling of the day was best
June 19. expressed when Wanda Ellis, a
The Open Day also marked the former Polish refugee who arrived
60th anniversary of the signing at the original Pahiatua refugee
of the Convention on the Status camp at the end of the Second
of Refugees, on which the World War, spoke about her
international effort to assist experiences.
refugees is based. Her conclusion that New Zealand
Despite some wet weather, was the most beautiful country
visitors enjoyed a day full of in the world and New Zealanders
cultural performances, displays the most welcoming people
and exhibitions on refugee history was greeted with spontaneous
and resettlement, ethnic food and applause.
craft stalls. People were able to
view the facilities and understand
more about the six week
programme the Centre delivers to
all new UNHCR refugee arrivals.
The day began with a welcome
from Tainui Kaumatua Sonny
Rauwhero and speeches from SPA
GM Stephen Dunstan, Ministerial
representative Dr Jackie Blue,
and Ellen Hanson of UNHCR
Canberra. Images from the 2011 World Refugee Day open day: Poster (Top), performances
and foodstalls (right), a section of the guests at the Opening event (below).
SPA DIVISION – SETTLEMENT, PROTECTION AND ATTRACTION 3

4. REFUGEE SERVICES UNIT (Cont.)
National Refugee forum looks to the Future
Over 160 delegates attended the launch of the fourth annual
the annual National Refugee New Zealand Somali Graduate
Resettlement Forum (NRRF) - the Journal - and a celebration of the
highlight event of the refugee 60th anniversary of the Refugee
resettlement sector calendar Convention (on June 1st) attended
- hosted by SPA Division in by the Governor General Sir
Wellington early June. Anand Satyanand.
This year’s theme of “Future To enable refugees to more easily
Voices - Future Choices” achieve fulfilling, independent
featured keynote speeches from lives that will reduce their
IT Entrepreneur and former dependency on government
refugee Mitchell Pham and the support, the Settlement,
Minister of Immigration, and Protection and Attraction
moving presentations from young Division is also currently leading
refugees from Myanmar, Djibouti the development of a new
and the Congo, reflecting on their National Refugee Resettlement
achievements to date and their Strategy.
future here in New Zealand.
The engagement of both
Other activities included panel participating agencies and
discussions and the country’s former refugee
presentations, communities is fundamental Images from the 2011 NRRF and the Refugee
Convention 60th Anniversary Celebrations,
to this work, and the national clockwise from above: Minister of Immigration
forum provides a key Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman, delegates on a break,
keynote Speaker Mitchell Pham, UNHCR Rick Towle
meeting opportunity for all with NZ Governer General Sir Anand Satyanand,
representatives each year. A young performer at the Refugee Convention
celebration, featured former refugee presenters;
Zember Mu Lo Peh, Dan Mbelo and Momina Ali.
SETTLEMENT STRATEGY
Celebrating the achievements of the Wellington Regional Settlement Strategy.
The Wellington Regional Group highlighted progress to examples of partnerships being
Settlement Strategy looks to date with a 2011 Update booklet, established to retain skilled
improve the settlement of new half-way through the Strategy’s migrants in the Wellington region,
migrants to the Wellington region, five year term. and stories from employers and
and is jointly led by the region’s new migrants that demonstrate
The booklet promotes the
five local councils and the the benefits of well supported
achievements of some key
Settlement Unit. settlement.
settlement actions by more than
This June the Strategy Leaders fifty Strategy partners, with [To P.5]
SPA DIVISION – SETTLEMENT, PROTECTION AND ATTRACTION 4

5. Wellington Regional Settlement Strategy. (Cont.)
Participants from business, local Plan will have a stronger
and central government, Iwi focus on supporting the
and community organisations region’s economic growth,
also marked the region’s first particularly through
Volunteer Connect awards - given activities that support the
to ten new migrants who have region’s workplaces where
distinguished themselves through good settlement practice can
their work in the Volunteer sector. directly influence economic
(For the partners and spouses of benefit.
skilled migrants, volunteering is
Click here for a PDF of the
often a direct pathway to getting
new booklet.
a job.)
With good settlement awareness
built across the region, the next
phase of the Strategy’s Action Images from the Wellington Regional
Settlement Strategy 2011 Update event,
clockwise from top right: The Update
Booklet, Anne Hartley & Maurice Priestly,
Volunteer Connnect recipients Shikla Mahajan
(L) & Shambhavi Manjrekar (R) with partners
Rupesh and Amit, Anna Puentener & Jirayu
Chotimongkol, Pauline Harper from Volunteer
Wellington, and Kedron Parker with
Rekha Jatav from the Strategy’s
Newcomers Advisory group.
New ESOL funding for newcomers
The Budget announcement in one prerequisite for getting a job 400 places for refugees and
May of $17.5m over four years in New Zealand, and almost 10% their family members to study
for English as a second language of inquiries received by SSNZ towards an ESOL qualification in
courses for refugees and migrants initiatives are from newcomers mainstream tertiary education
is extremely positive news for the who want to improve their without paying fees.
New Zealand Settlement Strategy, English.
More details about the new
in that it increases provision for a
The new funding will create an funding will be announced by the
key component of good settlement
additional 700 places on intensive TEC next year.
- access to learning English.
ESOL programmes for refugees
Interactions with both employer and migrants with low levels of
and migrant groups have English, which will be free to
consistently highlighted English participants.
language skills as the number
It will also fund approximately
SPA DIVISION – SETTLEMENT, PROTECTION AND ATTRACTION 5

6. SETTLEMENT SUPPORT NEW ZEALAND (SSNZ)
Nau mai, haere mai ngà tàngata hou o te ao (welcome to people from all over the world)
The welcoming programmes It has been a great success
for new migrants pioneered for the Settlement Unit to
through the Wellington Regional work with the Department
Settlement Strategy, which is of Labour’s Maori
led by SPA’s Settlement Unit, Strategy team, to bring this
are continuing to grow, and the compelling idea to fruition.
idea has also been picked up by The feedback continues to
SSNZ initiatives throughout the be extremely positive,
country. emphasising the importance
of connecting with tangata
The latest event at Wellington
whenua in reinforcing their
City’s Pipitea Marae was
decision to make Aotearoa
promoted through the local
New Zealand ‘he Kainga hou’
SSNZ network with this eye-
- a new home.
catching image - and te Reo
used as the heading.
HMS Trust hosts NZ Diversity Forum
The Hamilton Multicultural contribution to cultural diversity organisations have activities that
Services Trust (HMS Trust) will and race relations. together make up the programme.
continue its strong support of the
The theme for this 7th annual The Trust will also host the
NZ Human Rights Commission
national forum is People in Cultural Night on Sunday evening
when it hosts the 2011 NZ
Harmony - building on the work at the Waikato Migrant Resource
Diversity Forum on 21-22 August
on this theme already begun with Centre which is just across the
at the Claudelands Convention
Race Relations Day in March. park from the Claudelands Events
Centre.
Centre, and will include the
The forum is a unique national
Last year HMS Trust, who are official launch of the NZ Ethnic
convention with an emphasis
the lead provider for SSNZ in the Trust’s New to NZ book, which you
on practical action - more of a
Waikato region, was one of 13 can read more about in resources.
marketplace than a traditional
national Diversity Award winners,
conference - and many
recognising their outstanding
SSNZ Rotorua Embraces information, news and
Facebook events on a daily or
It’s often said, “Nothing even hourly basis, and
ventured, nothing gained”. improves accessibility
Inspired by the Auckland and by adding to the online
Manawatu initiatives, Settlement options being provided.
Support Rotorua launched a And the news is, so far
Facebook page in May this year. so good - viewing figures
SSNZ Rotorua’s monthly newsletter have surpassed all
regularly receives excellent expectations! So if you’re
feedback - but Facebook offers looking for something to
another way to easily update ‘like’ on Facebook, click
migrants and organisations with here!
SPA DIVISION – SETTLEMENT, PROTECTION AND ATTRACTION 6

7. SETTLEMENT SUPPORT NEW ZEALAND (SSNZ) Cont.
Support for migrants in Christchurch
The past six months have seen Users were extremely The counselling assists people to
difficult times for Christchurch appreciative of the service manage their stress reactions and
residents, and especially for new being offered and many of them normalise their lives.
migrants there. In February the thanked Immigration New While there has been significant
Christchurch SSNZ was knocked Zealand, saying they felt that this uptake from the Christchurch
out of action at a time when its gesture showed New Zealand community there has been
services were most needed by really cared for its people. limited response to the service
migrants. from migrant communities.
SSNZ in Christchurch is once
Within 40 hours of the again operating and Immigration Relationship Services is now
earthquake, Immigration’s New Zealand is now providing partnering with Immigration
Settlement Unit had transferred funds for the cost of interpreters New Zealand and the Office of
the Christchurch SSNZ phone needed for counselling sessions Ethnic Affairs “Language Line”
number and email to their for migrants who have limited to provide interpreters for the
Wellington office and over the English. migrant counselling.
next four weeks responded
Relationship Services has been As a result more migrants
to almost 500 inquiries. Most
contracted by the Ministry are using the Government’s
inquiries in the first week
of Social Development to free counselling services for
were about visas and missing
provide trauma counselling for Christchurch residents. If you
documentation, but by week
Christchurch people following need such counselling services, or
four migrants needed help with
the September and February know of someone who does, the
finances, and future planning for
earthquakes. number to call is 0800 RELATE -
study, accommodation and work.
0800 735 283.
Migrant story: Settlement “ … Despite having no family This has provided us with
Support, and having a baby in support in New Zealand we knowledge and practical support,
New Zealand have been overwhelmed by the with members making
In a recent article about this life- friendship and support us meals for those first
changing settlement experience by offered to us by the few days when three
recent migrant Dawn Pugh there people of Whangarei. became four. Living
is a great example of the kind I am grateful for the in New Zealand is a
of value SSNZ delivers each day mum’s group which very positive family
throughout New Zealand. is available through life experience for us.”
Settlement Support.
SSNZ Staff movements around the nation
Immigration New Zealand funds Rotorua - a sad farewell to No pressure at all of course for
18 local SSNZ initiatives and Grant Kilby who has been a very new SSNZ Wellington manager,
several other specific programmes effective SSNZ manager for us Grenville Hendricks!
so not surprisingly staff changes there. Hi and welcome to new
Nelson - is pleased to welcome
are a regular occurrence. manager, Chris Heywood.
Marg Parfitt to her new role with
In the last few months we have Wellington - will miss the the Nelson City Council managing
seen several changes in offices support of SSNZ manager Steve the Social Development team,
around the regions. Bill, who has contributed a lot including overseeing the SSNZ
to development of SSNZ at a contract for the region.
Auckland - welcoming back
national and local level and also
Monica Sharma as manager for Napier - we welcome both new
to the successful ‘PAWRS’ (Plan
SSNZ Waitakere, and new manager SSNZ manager Natasha Carswell,
of Action for Wellington Regional
Carole Blacklock for SSNZ North and new Settlement Support
Settlement) activity recognised at
Shore. coordinator Renske Speekenbrink.
the Wharenui o te Poneke in June.
SPA DIVISION – SETTLEMENT, PROTECTION AND ATTRACTION 7

8. RSE STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT UNIT (RSMU)
RSE policy wins IPANZ Award the Department who have been The IPANZ Gen-i Awards are
making the RSE programme very well regarded, and the
The whole Department of Labour
a national and international win follows up a previous win
was proud to see the Recognised
success, describing the win as in a separate category by RSE
Seasonal Employer (RSE) policy
richly deserved. last year. The Department’s
win at the Institute of Public
nomination was supported by
Administration of New Zealand The Award recognises
MSD, MFAT and the horticulture
(IPANZ) Gen-i Public Sector outstanding performance and
and viticulture industry. The
Excellence Awards, in June, in achievement of joint outcomes
policy shared first place in the
Wellington. and other shared accountabilities
category with the NZ Police’s 111
across clusters of agencies.
The awards celebrate excellence Deaf Text Service.
Judges recognised the RSE
across public sector agencies
policy as ‘an innovative example SPA GM Stephen Dunstan says he
from central and local
of cross-agency collaboration can’t wait to see how the other
government. The policy received
around challenging and Units in his Division will rise to
the Russel McVeagh Award for
sometimes conflicting objectives’. the lead shown by RSE …
Excellence in Working Together.
Department of Labour CE Below, L to R Top: Chris Hubscher, Robin Semmens, Lesley Haines, Nigel Bickle, Steven Dunstan,
Vasantha Krishnan. front row: Craig Smith, Anne Masoe, Christopher Blake, Emily Fabling.
Christopher Blake sent his warm
congratulations to the team
and all those working across
Horticulture NZ RSE Employers Conference strengthens vital relationships
The annual Horticulture NZ Immigration Minister Hon Dr level of the RSE scheme to
RSE Employers Conference is Jonathan Coleman delivered respond to industry and
an important opportunity for a keynote speech focused on employer needs.
people from the Horticultural stakeholders’ engagement and
industry and the RSE scheme to relationship and how the
meet and discuss aspects of the policy has supported the
existing operating model, what growth of the horticulture and
is working and what areas might viticulture industries. This
be improved or changed to more strong turnout reflects the
directly assist the needs of New importance of the programme.
Zealand horticultural employers.
The purpose is to improve
This year’s conference has just employer understanding and
been held (June 30th - July clear up any issues related
1st) at the Brentwood Hotel in to RSE policy. The conference
Wellington, and was attended by covered a range of issues and
PHOTO: RSE Workers .Horticulture New
Immigration New Zealand DCE discussed the challenges of the Zealand Chief Executive Peter Silcock says
Nigel Bickle and SPA GM Stephen policy and the opportunities the RSE programme is the single greatest
improvement in the sector that Horticulture
Dunstan, as well as Emily ahead, providing good insight NZ has been involved in.
Fabling, National Manager RSE. into the required operational
SPA DIVISION – SETTLEMENT, PROTECTION AND ATTRACTION 8

9. RSMU (Cont.)
Make the Politician an RSE Driving in NZ brochures
worker! The NZTA have recently
While opinions on reality completed a comprehensive
television vary, the Television update of their very
New Zealand programme ‘Make successful ‘What’s Different
the Politician Work’ will always about Driving in New
have relevance for one or more Zealand?’ brochures,
areas of the public sector. which included a period of
thorough consultation with
In late May one lucky long-term
SPA’s Recognised Seasonal
MP got to spend a few days with
Employment Management
some RSE workers from Samoa
Unit.
who were working asparagus
fields. Each year the RSMU oversees In response to this several
the seasonal engagement of Pacific language translations
Needless to say the RSE
around 51,000 temporary of the booklet have now been
team found the programme
workers from the Pacific region, added to the NZTA site.
enlightening, and also a reminder
and every intake needs its share
that it can never be guaranteed The translations are now up on
of drivers, who are usually
who might be put to work under the NZTA website here
driving vans full of workers
a policy!
on unfamiliar roads and in
You can view the episode here. unfamiliar conditions.
RESOURCES
New from IMSED Research
The Department’s Longitudinal Although the study identified a countries were found to achieve
Immigration Survey: New Zealand number of differences between world class outcomes.
research programme has reached the two countries’ policies and
Quota Refugees Ten Years On is
a significant milestone with the migrants’ characteristics, both
also celebrating significant
release of Competing for Skills.
achievements. This in-depth,
Australia and New Zealand three year programme looks
have both prioritised skilled at the long-term integration
migration in the past decade, outcomes of people accepted
and the period has coincided under the refugee quota
with growth in skilled migration programme 10 or more years
to both countries through both ago. New Land, New Life: Long
permanent and temporary entry. term settlement of refugees in
New Zealand, released earlier
Competing for Skills was
this month at the National
commissioned in partnership
Refugee Forum, contains the
with our Australian counterparts
preliminary findings from this
to compare skilled migration
study.
policies and outcomes in New
Zealand and Australia, and For further information please
suggest implications for the contact the Research Division at
future of skilled migration in the research@dol.govt.nz.
two countries.
SPA DIVISION – SETTLEMENT, PROTECTION AND ATTRACTION 9

10. RESOURCES (Cont.)
English Language Partners CE
Heads to Harvard is the Reference Group for the English Language
Claire Szabó, Chief proposed New Zealand Refugee Partners
Resettlement Strategy. Annual Report
Executive of English
Language Partners, The new Chief Executive is The recently
has resigned to Nicola Sutton. released English
take up study For more information visit Language Partners
at Harvard for a English Language Partners Annual report includes a
Masters in Public here supplement focusing on
Administration refugee learners, with summary
Claire Szabo statistics on refugee learners
commencing this month.
including percentage of refugee
Claire joined the organisation
Sunday Radio promotes learners, geography, type of
in 2005, taking up the Chief
workplace language services accessed, length of
Executive position in 2006.
awareness access to services, ethnicity,
Claire noted, in her farewell to the The Janet Holmes interview age, language level, gender and
organisation that: “I have been on RNZ National in July was work status, analysis of funding
honoured to lead an organisation excellent in pointing out some detail, and brief descriptions
with such a clear commitment to of the workplace communication of types of service. For copies,
migrants and refugees.” aspects our resources have been contact English Language
designed to cover. You can find Partners.
In her time as Chief Executive,
Claire contributed to a number of the interview here.
working groups in the settlement
sector – the most recent of which
An introduction to new New Zealand Cultures Sir Paul Callaghan stresses
As the pace The most recent entries the importance of talent
and variety are from Colombia, Bhutan, retention
of migration South Africa, the Democratic2011 New Zealander of the Year
grows, so Republic of Congo and and winner of the 2010 New
does the Congo-Brazzaville. Zealand Science Prize, Sir Paul
need for good Callaghan, has provided strong
First edited by
information indirect support for the principle
educationalist and
about the of settlement and it’s goal of
Hamilton City Councillor
cultures and ensuring we retain the skilled
Daphne Bell in 1998, this
people we are
new version by Jenny Magee migrants and other newcomers
increasingly we welcome to our shores.
is published by the
likely to meet in
Hamilton based Ethnic In his recent
New Zealand.
New Zealand Trust. lecture at
The latest edition of ‘New to New StrategyNZ
It will be distributed to schools,
Zealand’ is an important response
but is also available for sale to the about a
to this need. sustainable
public, and is likely to be a very
Now a fully revised hardback useful tool for anyone interacting future for
book covering people from 44 with people of other cultures in NZ Sir Paul
countries that have settled here, New Zealand. closed with a punch line focused
‘New to New Zealand’ gives on our main purpose; talent
For orders ($34.95* plus P&P)
readers a useful introduction to retention. This speech is now
and/or further information
the cultures, etiquette, origins and available online, here.
regarding the book please email
current situations of these new
EthnicNZTrust@gmail.com.
New Zealanders.
SPA DIVISION – SETTLEMENT, PROTECTION AND ATTRACTION 10