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New Zealand National Refugee Network,
Fleeing war torn countries is dangerous and extremely difficult. Arriving in a new country where you don’t speak the language is also very difficult.
20,000 refugees have arrived in New Zealand in the last 20 years. They come from a wide range of countries and situations. Most arrive with little or no English. There is a long, hard struggle to establish themselves in their new country.
To do this successfully, former refugees establish their own communities within NZ society. As these communities take shape, they find that ‘they face common issues,’ says NZ National Refugee Network Chairperson Kafeba Mundele. So they formed regional networks. These networks now have a national organisation – the New Zealand National Refugee Network.
The Network is the collective voice of former refugees in New Zealand. ‘There are many issues we all have in common,’ says Mundele. ‘Our major issues throughout the country are family reunification, housing, employment and mental health.’
Member organisation, ChangeMakers Refugee Forum, recently submitted a paper on family reunification to the Minister of Immigration, Jonathan Coleman. The paper demonstrates the huge stress on individuals who are isolated here with husbands, wives or children still in very dangerous situations. ‘The constant worry about loved ones makes it impossible to really get involved in NZ society. These people are still focused on trying to help their loved ones survive and get to safety,’ says Mundele. As one person said, our trauma seems to be a never ending story’. The Minister of Immigration has acknowledged that there are issues around the way New Zealand handles family reunification.
When refugees arrive in New Zealand they become NZ residents and are given rental housing and benefits. Most want to get jobs and their own homes as soon as they can. They are grateful for having a country they can be safe in. But to feel at home they need to be able to re-establish their lives. Unfortunately there are many barriers they face and 5-10 years on many still struggle to get a job and to get any choice about where they live. These barriers include language, discrimination based on colour, accents and lack of recognition of qualifications and experience by NZ employers.
Mental health is the other major issue. Some mental health issues arise from torture and trauma from the past. But most issues are caused by the stresses of adjusting to a new society that struggles to accept the differences between these new communities and the already established communities.
‘Our aim,’ says Mundele, ‘is that every refugee becomes a full participant in New Zealand society. As individuals and as communities we have plenty to contribute. We just need a chance to make our contribution.’
‘The NZ National Refugee Network aims to get all those working with refugees to share one goal and collaborate to form one resettlement plan so that refugees can find themselves a place in this new society much more quickly than they do at present.’
To find out more about the Network or to make a donation email: NZnationalrefugeenetwork@gmail.com.