Support for migrants in the Hurunui

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Support is available for migrants in the Hurunui district.

The Hurunui District Council launched its Welcoming Communities initiative last year, and has formed an advisory group to identify any gaps in support.

The advisory group has brought together local migrants and stakeholders, including employers, schools and medical centres.

The council received funding from Immigration New Zealand’s Welcoming Communities Programme, Te Waharoa ki ngā Hapori, last year.

‘‘We will have a proper ceremony later this year to promote our intentions and what we hope to achieve,’’ Welcoming Communities facilitator Natalie Paterson said.

‘‘We are doing a bit of a stocktake on what is already happening throughout the Hurunui.

‘‘There’s pockets of wonderful things happening, so it is about identifying any gaps and putting together a welcoming plan.’’

The welcoming plan would include a welcome pack providing information about the district, how to enrol at a medical centre or school, and local services.

Paterson said she would take some inspiration from the migrant initiatives development by the Waimakariri District Council’s community team, where she previously worked.

‘‘The welcome pack will detail all the things they might need to know about settling in the Hurunui, things which we might take for granted.
‘‘We are working with our stakeholders to break those barriers.’’

Language could be a major barrier for new migrants, as well as social isolation.

One initiative which was making a difference was the Amuri Community Health Centre employing a Filipino migrant as an advocate.

The local Filipino community also organised a basketball tournament last year, with a Filipino fiesta held on the final night.

‘‘Basketball is such a great way to bring Filipino people together and there was so much food [at the fiesta],’’ Paterson said. ‘‘They have such a hospitable and generous culture.’’

She said there were pockets of migrants throughout the district working on dairy farms, vineyards, in the health sector and for various local businesses.

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