COLLECTION

Hear from us, not about us – Refugee-background and ethnic migrant communities

Photo credit: Changemakers Refugee Forum

In this special research collection, we identify, highlight, and nurture community-based research on topical issues affecting refugee-background and ethnic migrants communities living in Aotearoa New Zealand. This collection is possible because of our community partner, ChangeMakers Resettlement Forum.

This collection was curated by Irene Ayallo and Susan Elliott, and receives ongoing tautoko from Batool Arif . Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou.

Advocacy

Aotearoa New Zealand Government Evacuation and Resettlement Support for the 2021 Afghanistan: PROJECT FINDINGS

By: Amnesty International, World Vision, Action Station
Published: 2023-10-10

On 15 August 2021, the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, prompting many individuals at risk to seek safety elsewhere. Deeply concerned by the dire human rights situation, a coalition of…

resettlement
Ethnicity and Diversity

Challenges to the proof of violence, and social stigma for ethnic migrant women in the current Victims of Family Violence (VFV) visa policy in Aotearoa New Zealand

By: Irene Ayallo and Tyler Kelly
Published: 2023-10-03

Analyses showed that victim-survivors face significant barriers in accessing this visa. Proving violence and an inability to return to their country of origin due to social stigma are complex and…

Ethnicity and Diversity

Advancing a social justice-orientated agenda through research: a review of refugee-related research in tourism

By: Shima Bazrafshan , Alison McIntosh and Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten
Published: 2023-04-11

Scholars have called for more critical considerations of social justice and tourism that align with the tenets, values, and practices for sustainability, transformation, and social change. The aim of this…

Arts and Culture

Availability and acceptability of interpreting services for refugees as a question of trauma- informed care

By: Alejandra González Campanella
Published: 2023-03-01

Refugee-background communities have been a significant part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s multicultural population for decades. Despite the documented relevance of communication for newly arrived refugees, local reports over the years…

Arts and Culture

Colonization’s Impact on Fiji, New Zealand, India and Cultural Intersectionalities

By: Praneil Chandra
Published: 2023-02-15

Colonization’s Impact on Fiji, New Zealand, India and Cultural Intersectionalities Colonization had a profound effect on the Maori, Indian, Fiji Indian and Native Fijian population, intersecting with the Auckland Sugar…

Advocacy

The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on the Health of Rohingya Refugees

By: Md Mahbubur Rahman
Published: 2023-02-03

The flows of COVID-19 across global terrains work unequally, impacting disproportionately the margins of global spaces. Refugees constitute the “margins of the margins” of globalization, constituted in spaces without access…

Ethnicity and Diversity

Enhancing the development of refugee-background youth in Aotearoa New Zealand through non-formal education

By: Leonie King
Published: 2022-10-16

Globally, non-formal education (NFE) plays an important role in youth development. However, while universal approaches to youth development are well researched, there is little research on what influences positive youth…

Ethnicity and Diversity

Perceived Discrimination as Experienced by Muslims in New Zealand Universities

By: Neda Salahshour and Eric Boamah
Published: 2022-09-22

Since the March 15 attacks in Christchurch, there has been raised awareness and new and strong enthusiasm to understand the experiences of the Muslim minority community. This exploratory paper investigates…

Refugee and Asylum seekers

Safe Start, Fair Future Report

By: Professor Jay Marlowe, Bernard Sama
Published: 2022-07-06

In March 2022, the government will review the New Zealand Refugee resettlement Strategy (NZRRS) for the first time in 10 years. This report responds to this opportunity and argues that…

Migrants and Former Refugees
Refugee and Asylum seekers

A Rainbow Refugee Quota for Aotearoa

By: Centre for Asia Refugee Rights Studies (CAPRS)
Published: 2022-07-01

A Rainbow Refugee Quota for Aotearoa is an attempt at policy change. The report’s audience is decision makers in government, but it also recognises the need for policy to be…

Ethnicity and Diversity

Community perspectives and responses to potentially establishing an ethnic community–led research and evaluation centre

By: Fikun Trust
Published: 2022-05-09

This report presents the findings from a study conducted to get community perspectives and responses to potentially establishing an Ethnic Community-led Research and Evaluation Centre in Aotearoa, New Zealand. As…

Community & Place Race & Ethnicity Research & Evaluation
Advocacy

“¿Y ahora quién podrá defendernos?”: Exploring the Application of Ally Theory in Community Interpreting in Aotearoa From a Latin American Service-User Perspective

By: Agustina Marianacci
Published: 2022-05-01

The purpose of this research was to explore allyship and social justice in spoken-language interpreting from a service-user perspective. The research was conducted with the Latin American community in Aotearoa,…

Indigenous Research
Ethnicity and Diversity

Employable identities: Social and cultural capital in the narratives of former refugees

By: Dr Emily Greenbank
Published: 2021-10-07

Navigating the labour market in a new context can be a challenge for any migrant, and particularly so for former refugees, who are often unable to find employment appropriate for…

Employment & Labour Identity Migrants and Former Refugees
Health

The experiences of refugee Muslim women in the Aotearoa New Zealand healthcare system

By: Shemana Cassim, Madiha Ali, Jacquie Kidd, Rawiri Keenan, Fariya Begum, Dina Jamil, Nur Abdul Hamid & Ross Lawrenson
Published: 2021-07-08

This study explores the experiences of refugee Muslim women as they accessed and navigated the healthcare system in AotearoaNew Zealand (NZ). A case-oriented approach was used, where semi-structured interviews were…

Health & Wellbeing Women/Wāhine
Ethnicity and Diversity

Transnational migration and disaster risk reduction: Insights from Chinese migrants living in Auckland, New Zealand

By: Zhang, C., Le De, L., Charania, N.A.
Published: 2021-06-07

Migrants can be disproportionately impacted by disasters due to their increased vulnerability. Knowledge of Chinese migrants’ perceptions and experiences in the face of hazards and disasters is limited. This qualitative…

Asian Emergency & Disaster Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

Consultations with Refugee immigrants

By: Kirsten Lovelock; Meremoana Potiki
Published: 2021-04-01

Refugee background women, their connections, sense of belonging, acceptance and inclusion in the Greater Wellington region: This report presents the qualitative findings of a research project focussing on the experiences…

Migrants and Former Refugees Women/Wāhine
Ethnicity and Diversity

Ngā take o nga wheako o te kaikiri ki ngā manene o Aotearoa Drivers of migrant New Zealanders’ experiences of racism

By: Malatest International
Published: 2021-03-01

The purpose of the current research was to use qualitative methods to unpack how migrants have been experiencing racism, what might be causing this, and how we can support migrants…

Migrants and Former Refugees Racism
Ethnicity and Diversity

Te Kaikiri me te Whakatoihara i Aotearoa i te Urutā COVID-19: He Aro Ki Ngā Hapori Haina, Āhia Hoki. Racism and Xenophobia Experiences in Aotearoa New Zealand during COVID-19: A Focus on Chinese and Asian Communities

By: Nielsen
Published: 2021-02-01

The key research objectives were to understand the following: • The prevalence, nature, and pattern of racism and xenophobia experienced by people in the COVID-19 context, particularly among Tangata Whenua,…

Asian COVID-19 Racism
Ethnicity and Diversity

Three Years On: English and employment outcomes of former refugees

By: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Published: 2021-02-01

The New Zealand Refugee Resettlement Strategy was developed and implemented in 2013 with the aim of improving outcomes for former refugees. The overarching aim of the strategy is to ensure…

Employment & Labour Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

Knocking on the door to integration”: Korean immigrants’ stories of seeking membership in Aotearoa New Zealand society

By: Hagyun Kim
Published: 2021-01-01

While citizens of Aotearoa New Zealand are granted full participation regardless of racial and cultural background, Asian immigrants appear exempt from the benefits of inclusion. For many, immigration is a…

Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

RASNZ Refugee Resettlement and Support Services in the Auckland Region: A Study in the Era of COVID-19

By: Dr Annette Mortensen
Published: 2020-12-02

The study describes multiple systemic barriers to former refugee groups receiving adequate and equitable support in New Zealand health, housing, income support, education and social services. Access to services is…

COVID-19 Migrants and Former Refugees Social Services
Health

MIGRANT EXPERIENCES IN THE TIME OF COVID

By: Belong Aotearoa
Published: 2020-12-01

Amplifying voices of our marginalised communities enables diverse perspectives and experiences to be heard and therefore help shape our understanding of issues and solutions that are truly transformative and regenerative.…

COVID-19
Ethnicity and Diversity

Interventions to reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases among migrants and refugees worldwide: A scoping review of published literature, 2006 to 2018

By: Charania, N.A., Gaze, N., Kung, J., Brooks, S.
Published: 2020-10-27

Background Disparities in vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) burden and immunisation coverage between migrants and refugees and their host populations have been described in numerous countries worldwide. Effective strategies are required to…

Immunisation Migrants and Former Refugees
Advocacy

Perceived Discrimination as Experienced by Muslims in New Zealand Universities

By: Neda Salahshar
Published: 2020-09-22

Since the March 15 attacks in Christchurch, there has been raised awareness and new and strong enthusiasm to understand the experiences of the Muslim minority community. This exploratory paper investigates…

Health

RASNZ COVID-19 Response Study: Remote Psychosocial Service Provision to Former Refugee and Asylum Seeker Communities in Auckland During Lockdown

By: Anette Mortensen
Published: 2020-08-24

This study was commissioned to capture the experiences of Refugees as Survivors New Zealand (RASNZ) clinical and community services as they responded to COVID 19; and to understand the impact…

COVID-19 Health & Wellbeing Migrants and Former Refugees
Health

Revisioning State-Society Relationships in a Pandemic: New Zealand’s Response to Covid-19

By: Naomi Simon-Kumar, Rachel Simon-Kumar and Monique Jonas,
Published: 2020-08-03

In this paper, we examine the factors that contributed to New Zealand’s initial success, highlighting the distinctive state-society mandates that were forged through the response. We also reflect, briefly, on…

COVID-19 Health & Wellbeing
People and Society

‘Forced’ family separation and inter-generational dynamics: multi-generational new Chinese immigrant families in New Zealand

By: Guanyu Jason Ran & Liangni Sally Liu
Published: 2020-07-30

In New Zealand (NZ), due to the immigration policy change against family reunifications, many ‘forced’ transnational immigrant families emerged between NZ and other immigration sending countries. Closely tied family members…

Families, Whānau and Parenting
Ethnicity and Diversity

Vaccine-preventable disease-associated hospitalisations among migrant and non-migrant children in New Zealand

By: Charania, N.A., Paynter, J., Lee, A.C., Watson, D.G., Turner, N.M.
Published: 2020-04-01

Migrants may experience a higher burden of vaccine-preventable disease (VPD)-associated hospitalisations compared to the host population. A retrospective cohort study from 2006 to 2015 was conducted that linked de-identified data…

Children & Youth Immunisation Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

A fair go for refugees: resettlement in Aotearoa and global trends

By: Jay Marlowe
Published: 2020-02-03

As New Zealanders, when we think about fair futures for refugees, we have to think about what is fair collectively and individually, and what is fair in local, regional, national,…

Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

Review of the Ethnic Groups of the Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington

By: Fr. Gerard Burns and Dr Maya Bernardo
Published: 2020-01-31

The Review targeted Catholic migrants who identify as Pacific Islanders, Asians, Middle-eastern, Africans and other ethnicities apart from Europeans and Māori. The Review included obtaining demographic data from the government,…

Ethnicity and Diversity

Improving health equity among the African ethnic minority through health system strengthening: a narrative review of the New Zealand healthcare system

By: Blessing Kanengoni, Sari Andajani-Sutjahjo and Eleanor Holroyd
Published: 2020-01-30

In New Zealand, health equity is a pressing concern, and reaching disadvantaged populations has become the goal to close the inequity gap. Building and strengthening health systems is one way…

Health & Wellbeing Migrants and Former Refugees Social Services
Ethnicity and Diversity

Toward Inclusive and Equitable Education for All: Lessons from the experiences of New Zealand refugee background university students

By: Sarah Willete
Published: 2020-01-01

The ability of education to transform individuals’ lives, and by extension those of their communities and societies, is well documented. As such, education is at the heart of the United…

Children & Youth Education & Training Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

Gay Asian Migrants and the Problem of Desirability: Racism and Sexuality on Gay Mobile Dating Apps

By: Xie Quin Lim
Published: 2019-11-01

This thesis addresses the many forms of racism that are found in three apps that are popular in New Zealand, namely Grindr, Jack’d, and Blued, through the experience of gay…

Racism Rainbow/LGBTIQA+
Health

The Roles of Health and Health Care Services in Social and Cultural Integration of Ethnic Minority African Migrants: The Case of the Luo Community of Wellington

By: Samuel Judah Seomeng
Published: 2019-11-01

This research provides anthropological analysis into the intersection between migrants’ health, healthcare services, and the concept of migrant integration, focusing on the Luo community of Wellington as an ethnic minority…

Community Development Health & Wellbeing Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

Vulnerability and capacities of international students in the face of disasters in Auckland, New Zealand: A qualitative descriptive study

By: Thorup-Binger C., Charania, N.A.
Published: 2019-10-01

Background International migration is a worldwide phenomenon, with an increased presence of international students (i.e., short-term migrants) residing in host countries for limited periods of time. Migrants may be exposed…

Education & Training Emergency & Disaster Migrants and Former Refugees
Technology

Diversity Dividends and the Dehumanisation of Immigrants in the News Media in Aotearoa New Zealand

By: Sandy Lee and Trudy Cain
Published: 2019-07-01

In New Zealand and elsewhere, immigration and ethnic diversity continues to be a highly contentious issue. Immigrants, refugees and ethnic minorities have often been portrayed in the media in negative…

Media & Communications
Ethnicity and Diversity

Hybrid Identities and Interconnected Spatialities: The role of Cricket in the settlement of Sri Lankan migrants in New Zealand

By: Shemana Cassim, Darrin Hodgetts, and Ottilie Stolte
Published: 2019-07-01

This article explores the ways in which Sri Lankan migrants in New Zealand establish a sense of continuity between the host nation and country of origin by forging interconnected spatialities.…

Migrants and Former Refugees Sport & Recreation
Ethnicity and Diversity

Social Media and Forced Migration: The Subversion and Subjugation of Political Life

By: Jay Marlowe
Published: 2019-06-28

As social media platforms and the associated communication technologies become increasingly available, affordable and usable, these tools effectively enable forced migrants to negotiate political life across borders. This connection provides…

Information Technology/Internet Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

Vaccine-preventable diseases and immunisation coverage among migrants and non-migrants worldwide: A scoping review of published literature, 2006 to 2016

By: Charania, N.A., Gaze, N., Kung, J., Brooks, S.
Published: 2019-05-16

Background: Studies of vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) burden and immunisation coverage among migrants compared to locally-born populations present a mixed picture on whether migrants experience disproportionate VPD rates and immunisation inequities,…

Immunisation Migrants and Former Refugees
Arts and Culture

A symbolic representation of Wellington: how participatory painting processes enabled a more inclusive urban narrative

By: Amber Kale
Published: 2019-05-09

In this article, I examine how a participatory painting project in Wellington enhanced cross-cultural understanding between former refugee and host-society participants and enabled a more inclusive urban narrative. In light…

Arts & Culture Migrants and Former Refugees
Evaluation

Working Through Uncertainty: The Perils and Potential of Community-Engaged Research on Refugee Resettlement

By: Paul Van Auken, Orlee Hauser, D. J. Wolover, Bethany Lerch, Kenneth Jackson, Juyeon Son, Sarah Reed and Colin Crowley
Published: 2019-02-28

What can be learned from the process of community-engaged research (CER) on refugee resettlement? In the following, we share experiences, reflections, and lessons from implementing such a project. We begin…

Research & Evaluation
Health

Cultural support workers in the Aotearoa New Zealand healthcare setting: Challenge and opportunity for health social work

By: Maree Goh, Mercy Hospice
Published: 2019-01-01

INTRODUCTION: In Aotearoa New Zealand, as elsewhere in the world, healthcare providers are seeking better ways to engage with increasingly ethnically and linguistically diverse communities. The use of cultural support…

Health & Wellbeing
Health

Challenges and adjustments in maintaining health and well-being of older Asian immigrants in New Zealand: An integrative review

By: Jed Montayre, Jaden De-Arth, Jagamaya Shrestha-Ranjit, Stephen Neville, Eleanor Holroyd
Published: 2019-01-01

Objective: There is a paucity of health-related research on older Asian immigrants in New Zealand. The aim of this review was to critically examine literature on health and well-being of…

Ageing & Retirement Health & Wellbeing
Ethnicity and Diversity

Exploring immunisation inequities among migrant and refugee children in New Zealand

By: Charania, N.A., Paynter, J., Lee, A.C., Watson, D.G., Turner, N.M.
Published: 2018-08-17

Migrants may experience immunisation inequities compared with the host population related to barriers with accessing immunisations in their home countries, while migrating and/or post-arrival. This retrospective cohort study explored vaccination…

Children & Youth Immunisation Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

New Migrant Parenting Report

By: Tamati Ihaka, Elizabeth Cameron, Haiying Dong, Point Research
Published: 2018-05-22

This research aims to better understand the parenting practices of new migrants in Auckland’s North Shore communities. Its primary use is to assist Whānau Marama Parenting, a parenting programme provider…

Community Development Families, Whānau and Parenting Research & Evaluation
Ethnicity and Diversity

Refugee-focused service providers: improving the welcome in New Zealand

By: Alison McIntosh and Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten
Published: 2018-05-07

When refugees are resettled into a destination, refugee-focused service providers offer frontline services to ease refugees’ experiences of trauma and marginalisation, providing advocacy and welcome through reception processes, translation services,…

Human Rights & Civil Liberties Migrants and Former Refugees Social Services
Ethnicity and Diversity

MEETING THE NEEDS AND CHALLENGES OF MIGRANTS AND FORMER REFUGEES IN THE NELSON AND TASMAN REGIONS

By: The Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research Victoria University of Wellington Colleen Ward with Jason Lescelius Amanda Jack Reneeta M. Naidu and Elizabeth Weinberg
Published: 2018-03-14

In pursuing their purpose of supporting migrants, former refugees, and people from minority ethnicities with their settlement processes, the Nelson Multicultural Council contracted the Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research at…

Community Development Government – Central & Local Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

EXPLORING AFRICAN MIGRANTS’ DECISIONS TO MIGRATE TO NEW ZEALAND

By: Olufemi Muibi Omisakin
Published: 2018-01-07

Migration is the movement of people from one geographic location to another. It can be either domestic or international. This study focuses on international migration. Individuals or groups who decide…

Migrants and Former Refugees
People and Society

Transnational parenting practices of Chinese immigrant families in New Zealand

By: Angel Chan
Published: 2018-01-01

This article advocates for fluid pedagogies that align with the transnational parenting practices of immigrant families. New Zealand is now considered to be a superdiverse country with a large population…

Children & Youth Families, Whānau and Parenting
Ethnicity and Diversity

Parental Ideologies and Family Language Policies among Spanish-speaking Migrants to New Zealand

By: Arianna Berardi-Wiltshire
Published: 2018-01-01

The latest New Zealand Census figures indicate that between 2006 and 2013 over five thousand speakers of Spanish joined the nation’s population, mostly as the result, we can assume, of…

Families, Whānau and Parenting Language and Culture
Arts and Culture

‘Remembering’ Absent and Recent Pasts Through Photographs: Young Eritrean Women in New Zealand

By: Louise Humpage
Published: 2017-12-01

This article presents a Photovoice project that explores the narratives of five young women of Eritrean heritage living in New Zealand. The photographs taken by the women suggest that their…

Arts & Culture Migrants and Former Refugees Women/Wāhine
People and Society

African Mothers’ Experiences of Raising ‘Afro-Kiwi Kids’ in Aotearoa / New Zealand

By: Helene Connor, Irene Ayallo, Susan Elliott
Published: 2017-12-01

This article presents findings from qualitative research data gathered from a group of ten refugee-background and immigrant African mothers living in Auckland, Aotearoa/New Zealand. The research study—From Mama Africa to…

Families, Whānau and Parenting Women/Wāhine
Ethnicity and Diversity

Motivational factors for African immigrants into small business activities in Auckland New Zealand

By: Olufemi Muibi Omisakin
Published: 2017-10-05

Immigrant entrepreneurs play an important role in their host countries’ economies. They contribute to national economies by starting up and running small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These make up 97%…

Economics & Finances Employment & Labour Migrants and Former Refugees
Refugee and Asylum seekers

Belonging and Transnational Refugee Settlement

By: Jay Marlowe
Published: 2017-09-27

This book has been written during a time of great change and contestation as it relates to forced migration and global politics. The Syrian crisis has continued to deepen as…

Migrants and Former Refugees
Arts and Culture

The Art of Social Connection: Exploring Former Refugee and Host Society Integration via a Collaborative, Participatory Painting Project in Wellington City

By: Amber Kale
Published: 2017-07-31

In light of the global humanitarian crisis, a climate of fear has arisen around refugees which is often exacerbated by the media perpetuating misinformation and negative stereotypes. Such misrepresentation is…

People and Society

Moving backwards, moving forward: the experiences of older Filipino migrants adjusting to life in New Zealand

By: Jed Montayre, Stephen Neville & Eleanor Holroyd
Published: 2017-07-13

Purpose: To explore the experiences of older Filipino migrants adjusting to living permanently in New Zealand.Method: The qualitative descriptive approach taken in this study involved 17 individual face-to-face interviews of…

Ageing & Retirement
People and Society

The politics and construction of identity and childhood: Chinese immigrant families in New Zealand

By: Angel Chan
Published: 2017-01-02

Diverse immigrants have significantly transformed the ethnic make-up of New Zealand, and they have brought with them diverse identities to this country. Findings from a doctoral research project which involved…

Children & Youth Families, Whānau and Parenting
Ethnicity and Diversity

Challenges Faced – Implications for Policy: The Everyday Lives of Eastern European Women in New Zealand

By: ADRIENNA EMBER
Published: 2016-11-22

This study explored the everyday lives, aspirations, and coping strategies of seven Eastern European immigrant women in New Zealand who came from Bulgaria, the former Eastern Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania,…

Community Development Migrants and Former Refugees Women/Wāhine
Work

Occupational experiences of Korean immigrants settling in New Zealand

By: Hagyun Kim , Clare Hocking , Barbara McKenzie-Green and Shoba Naya
Published: 2016-01-13

For Korean immigrants, settling in New Zealand is challenging and stress-inducing. There is growing concern that feelings of alienation and loss seem to be key features in their lives. Taking…

Employment & Labour
Ethnicity and Diversity

Young people from refugee backgrounds as a resource for disaster risk reduction

By: J Marlowe, R Bogen
Published: 2015-07-01

Young people from refugee backgrounds represent an important resource for disaster risk reduction within their respective communities. This paper presents a qualitative study with young people from refugee backgrounds and…

Emergency & Disaster Migrants and Former Refugees
Law & Justice

English language issues for jury service by New Zealanders from migrant and refugee backgrounds

By: Hilary A Smith
Published: 2015-07-01

This paper describes an exploratory study carried out to identify the issues for jury service for people with low levels of English language ability. Questions were emailed to English language…

Language and Culture
Ethnicity and Diversity

Best Practice Principles: CALD Cultural Competency Standards and Framework.

By: Sue Lim – Manager, WDHB Asian Health Support Services Dr Annette Mortensen, Project Manager, Migrant Health Programme – Northern Regional Alliance Ltd
Published: 2014-11-01

The purpose of this document is to:1. Provide Information about CALD population demographics and characteristics, increasing workforce diversity, service barriers, and why the need for cultural competence2. Recommend Best Practice…

Health & Wellbeing Migrants and Former Refugees Research & Evaluation
Ethnicity and Diversity

Global trends and refugee settlement in New Zealand

By: J Marlowe & S Elliott
Published: 2014-09-23

Resettlement provides access to rights similar to other New Zealanders and the opportunity to eventually gain citizenship. It also provides an avenue for countries like New Zealand to share international…

Government – Central & Local Human Rights & Civil Liberties Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

‘Yes, we can; but together’: social capital and refugee resettlement

By: S Elliott & I Yusuf
Published: 2014-09-23

Resettled refugees need a network of relationships to ensure they can live meaningful lives in New Zealand. These relationships are complex and exist between individuals and communities at local and…

Community Development Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

The New Zealand Refugee Resettlement Strategy: implications for identity, acculturation and civic participation

By: Jay Marlowe, Allen Bartley, A. Hibtit
Published: 2014-08-20

The process of resettlement as a refugee often involves adapting to, and reconciling with, a new social reality. The complexities associated with acculturation across age, gender and family dynamics are…

Community Development Law & Justice Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

Cultural case workers in child disability services: an evidence-based model of cultural responsiveness for refugee families

By: A Mortensen, S Latimer & I Yusuf
Published: 2014-08-11

The medical/disabled category for quota refugees selected for resettlement in New Zealand allows entry to those who have either a medical condition that can be treated or helped in New…

Children & Youth Disability Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

A Social Justice Lens to Examine Refugee Populations Affected by Disasters

By: Jay Marlowe
Published: 2014-07-01

The pedagogical implications of encouraging social work students to consider the inter-sections of social justice with communities affected by disasters are considerable. This focus is key as disasters can impact…

Emergency & Disaster Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

Othering and voice: How media framing denies refugees integration opportunities

By: Dr Emily Greenbank
Published: 2014-06-01

Mainstream media play a significant role in shaping public opinion in modern society. For refugees, misinterpretation (including associations with victimhood, foreignness and deviant behaviour) can hinder integration into New Zealand…

Language and Culture Media & Communications Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

‘Marking time’: Experiences of successful asylum seekers in Aotearoa New Zealand

By: Alia Bloom, Tim O'Donovan, & Martine Udahemuka
Published: 2013-12-03

This research explores the extent to which successful asylum seekers are able to participate in Aotearoa New Zealand life by documenting the experiences of 18 people who have been recognised…

Community Development Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

Occupational Safety and Health of Migrant Sex Workers in New Zealand

By: Dr Michael Roguski, Kaitiaki Research
Published: 2013-05-02

The research examined issues relating to migrant sex workers in New Zealand and their occupational safety and health. There were three parts to the research: key informant interviews, self administered…

Employment & Labour Health & Wellbeing Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

“You can never be on one side alone”: Some Young Somali-Kiwi Women’s Narratives about Identity, Resettlement and Community Development in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand

By: Emily Kathryn James
Published: 2013-01-01

This research investigates how young Somali women are navigating through the resettlement process while negotiating their own identities in Wellington, New Zealand. It is important as it addresses two main…

Migrants and Former Refugees Women/Wāhine
Ethnicity and Diversity

Adult refugee learners with limited literacy: needs and effective responses

By: Dr John Benseman
Published: 2012-09-10

The purpose of this study was to document and analyse the learning needs and issues of adult refugees with low language and literacy skills by looking at how their prior…

Education & Training Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

New Land, New Life: Long-Term Settlement of Refugees in New Zealand Main Report

By: Wendy Searle, Emma Prouse, Emily L’Ami, Alison Gray, Anna Gruner Labour and Immigration Research Centre Labour Group Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Published: 2012-08-06

Quota Refugees Ten Years On: Perspectives on Integration, Community, and Identity is a multi-year research programme that was developed to better understand the long-term journeys of refugees in New Zealand.…

Community Development Migrants and Former Refugees Research & Evaluation
Health

Refugee Health Care: A Handbook for Health Professionals

By: Dr Annette Mortensen, Dr William Rainger, Sally Hughes
Published: 2012-06-01

In the 10 years since the publication of the first refugee health handbook there have been considerable steps taken toward improving long-term settlement outcomes for refugees settled in New Zealand.…

Advocacy Health & Wellbeing Migrants and Former Refugees
Work

‘People with refugee backgrounds can do the job.’ Refugee-background experiences of employment in Wellington.

By: ChangeMakers Refugee Forum
Published: 2012-05-23

Obtaining meaningful employment – adequately remunerated, fulfilling employment that is commensurate with a person’s skills and qualifications – is a high priority for people from refugee backgrounds, as it is…

Employment & Labour Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

“So we thought not to lose our background completely”: Agency and belonging among South Sudanese Acholi in New Zealand

By: Ryan O’Byrne
Published: 2012-01-01

This thesis aims to represent the experiences of individuals from this group within the broader contexts of refugee resettlement. A fundamental aspect of these experiences is the ambiguous and often…

Community Development Migrants and Former Refugees Social Services
Ethnicity and Diversity

Contesting Representations of Refugee‑Background Women (and Men) as ‘Needy’ and ‘Problematic’ in Healthcare Literature in Aotearoa New Zealand: Advancing the Case for a Capability‑Driven Model

By: Kristine Ford
Published: 2012-01-01

This research analyses how power operates discursively within the western biomedical model as it pertains to the representations and treatment of refugee‑background women (and men) in Aotearoa New Zealand. It…

Migrants and Former Refugees Women/Wāhine
Ethnicity and Diversity

Resettlement Experiences of Burmese Women from Refugee Backgrounds in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand

By: Una Kamri-McGurk
Published: 2012-01-01

The resettlement experiences of Burmese women from refugee backgrounds living in Wellington are the focus of this thesis. Increasing numbers of people are being resettled worldwide, so it is important…

Migrants and Former Refugees Women/Wāhine
Ethnicity and Diversity

New Land, New Life: Long-Term Settlement of Refugees in New Zealand Main Report

By: Wendy Searle, Emma Prouse, Emily L’Ami, Alison Gray, Anna Gruner
Published: 2012-01-01

Quota Refugees Ten Years On: Perspectives on Integration, Community and Identity is a multi-year research programme that was developed to better understand the long-term journeys of refugees in New Zealand.…

Community & Place Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

New Land, New Life: Long-Term Settlement of Refugees in New Zealand Summary Report

By: Wendy Searle, Emma Prouse, Emily L’Ami, Alison Gray, Anna Gruner
Published: 2012-01-01

Quota Refugees Ten Years On: Perspectives on Integration, Community and Identity is a multi-year research programme that was developed to better understand the long-term journeys of refugees in New Zealand.…

Community & Place Migrants and Former Refugees
Non-profit Sector

Doing it for ourselves and our children: Refugee women on their own in New Zealand

By: Ruth De Souza and Jill Conway
Published: 2011-12-14

Little is known about the experiences of women who enter New Zealand through the Women at Risk category identified by UNHCR. The purpose of this project was to examine the…

Families, Whānau and Parenting Migrants and Former Refugees Women/Wāhine
Health

Barriers to achieving good health outcomes in refugee-background communities

By: ChangeMakers Refugee Forum
Published: 2011-06-16

The aim of this report is to increase understanding of the health requirements of refugee-background communities. Like many communities whose members are predominantly from low socio-economic backgrounds, former refugees face…

Health & Wellbeing Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

Social Policy Journal of New Zealand Issue 37 Te Puna Whakaaro. Chapter ‘Health”. Public Health System Responsiveness to Refugee Groups in New Zealand: Activation from the Bottom Up.

By: Annette Mortensen
Published: 2011-06-01

Issue 37 of the Social Policy Journal of New Zealand comprises research papers on a wide range of topics with implications for policy across the social sector. Research relating to…

Community Development Health & Wellbeing Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

‘Standing in the Fire’: Experiences of HIV positive Black African migrants and refugees living in New Zealand.

By: Fouché, C., Henrickson, M. & Poindexter, C.
Published: 2011-01-01

A qualitative project explored the lived experiences and social service needs of affected or at-risk Black African migrants, refugees and their family members in New Zealand. One of the main…

Health & Wellbeing Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

The Bhutanese Refugee Resettlement Journey – Part One: Pre-departure

By: Vasantha Krishnan, Elizabeth Plumridge and Beth Ferguson
Published: 2011-01-01

The Bhutanese Refugee Resettlement Research is following a group of Bhutanese refugees from camps in Nepal through to settlement in New Zealand. The research involves three phases of data collection.…

Law & Justice Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

The Bhutanese Refugee Resettlement Journey – Part Two: On Arrival

By: Beth Ferguson, Elizabeth Plumridge and Vasantha Krishnan
Published: 2011-01-01

The Bhutanese Refugee Resettlement Research Programme is following a group of Bhutanese refugees from camps in Nepal through to settlement in New Zealand. The research involves three phases of data…

Law & Justice Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

The Bhutanese Refugee Resettlement Journey – Part Three: Settlement

By: Beth Ferguson
Published: 2011-01-01

The Bhutanese Refugee Resettlement Research follows a group of Bhutanese refugees from camps in Nepal through to settlement in New Zealand. The research involves three phases of data collection. The…

Law & Justice Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

New Zealand’s Refugee Sector: Perspectives and Developments, 1987-2010

By: Anna Gruner, Wendy Searle
Published: 2011-01-01

This report presents a descriptive analysis of stakeholders’ perspectives on significant changes in the refugee resettlement sector since 1987. Stakeholder views have been supplemented with information from documentary sources, which…

Community Development Migrants and Former Refugees
Advocacy

Wellington Refugee Youth Issues Summary: Backgrounder for Wellington people working with refugee-background youth

By: Tessa Johnstone & Muigai Kimani
Published: 2010-06-25

This backgrounder is a starting point. The Refugee Youth Action Group (Wellington) is made up of government and non-government agencies keen to see action on the issues so refugee-background youth…

Children & Youth Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

Beyond the Discourse of Trauma: Shifting the Focus on Sudanese Refugees

By: Jay Marlowe
Published: 2010-05-07

The refugee label acknowledges the plight of people marginalized, oppressed and pushed to the periphery of society. While having this status affords a number of rights from countries signatory to…

Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

HOMEWORK CLUB: Strengthening Refugee Youth Achievement

By: Homework Club; Victoria University Research Team
Published: 2009-12-15

This report is the product of a group research project carried out in partnership with Victoria University students, secondary school refugee students and the facilitators of the Homework Club. Set…

Action Research Education & Training Migrants and Former Refugees
Refugee and Asylum seekers

Accessing ‘Authentic’ Knowledge: Being and Doing with the Sudanese Community

By: Jay Marlowe
Published: 2009-01-01

This paper reports on the research process and the necessity of elevating the voices of Southern Sudanese men resettling in Adelaide, Australia to better understand how they have responded to…

Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

Diverse Communities – Exploring the Migrant and Refugee Experience in New Zealand

By: The Ministry of Social Development’s (MSD) Diverse Communities
Published: 2008-07-01

Why this report has been produced The Ministry of Social Development’s (MSD) Diverse Communities – Exploring the Migrant and Refugee Experience in New Zealand report brings together existing data and…

Community Development Government – Central & Local Migrants and Former Refugees
Work

Learning to See Differently Supporting Refugee-Background Students at Victoria University of Wellington, Aotearoa/New Zealand

By: Monica Evans, Caroline Cowie and Thomas Vink
Published: 2008-07-01

This report is a summary of learnings from involvement in the student-run club Global Remix (GR) at Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) this year. It is written by students from…

Education & Training
Health

Refugees as ‘Others’: Social and cultural citizenship rights for refugees in NZ health services

By: Mortensen, A.C.
Published: 2008-03-09

Citizenship, as effective social, cultural and economic participation for refugee groups, depends on appropriate institutional structures and processes in resettlement societies. This thesis using critical social theoretical perspectives addresses the…

Health & Wellbeing Human Rights & Civil Liberties Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

The coping processes of adult refugees resettled in New Zealand

By: Marie-Thérèse Pahud
Published: 2008-01-01

A significant proportion of worldwide research concerning adult refugees has investigated clinical perspectives and emphasised the impact of pre and post-migration experiences as key factors affecting their mental health status.…

Mental Health Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

A survey on the living conditions including housing, neighbourhood and social support of the Christchurch Refugee Community

By: Victoria Ravenscroft
Published: 2008-01-01

Refugees come from diverse backgrounds and the issues they face depend on their particular circumstances. Some of the issues refugees face include cultural shock, language difficulties, lack of established networks…

Community & Place Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

The Contribution of Non-Government Organisations to the Settlement of Refugees and Migrants in Aotearoa New Zealand Executive Summary

By: National Association of ESOL Home Tutors
Published: 2007-01-01

Considers the work of nine NGOs providing settlement support to refugees and migrants in Aotearoa New Zealand. It considers support of new comers at local level with access to information…

Government – Central & Local Migrants and Former Refugees Non-profit Sector
Ethnicity and Diversity

Victoria University of Wellington – Supporting refugee – background students to achieve their goals

By: Cedric Horner, Shana Khan, Kathryn Paton
Published: 2006-11-01

This report summarises findings from a participatory action research project that determined what support systems are currently available to refugee-background students at the Victoria University of Wellington, and how these…

Action Research Education & Training Migrants and Former Refugees
Health

Walking a tightrope: Asian health research in New Zealand

By: Ruth DeSouza
Published: 2006-09-01

Interest in how knowledge is constructed in multiethnic, multi-lingual, and multi-faith communities is gaining momentum in countries such as New Zealand as they become more diverse. In turn, this provides…

Asian Health & Wellbeing Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

Sailing in a new direction: Multicultural mental health in New Zealand

By: Ruth DeSouza
Published: 2006-06-09

Migrants and refugees make up an increasingly significant number of Aotearoa/New Zealand’s population with one in five New Zealanders being born in another country compared with one in eight people…

Health & Wellbeing Mental Health Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

The Contribution of Non-Government Organisations to the Settlement of Refugees and Migrants in Aotearoa New Zealand

By: Dr Gillian Skyrme
Published: 2006-06-01

Considers the work of nine NGOs providing settlement support to refugees and migrants in Aotearoa New Zealand. It considers support of new comers at local level with access to information…

Employment & Labour Government – Central & Local Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

Being Accepted: The Experience of Discrimination and Social Exclusion by Immigrants and Refugees in New Zealand

By: Andrew Butcher, Andrew Trlin, Paul Spoonley
Published: 2006-04-07

This report identifies the nature of discrimination experienced and/or perceived by new settlers in New Zealand. The research results presented are derived from data collected via four focus groups conducted…

Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

Participatory Action Research (PAR) with Assyrian Youth

By: Laura Armstrong, Amanda Leathers, Philippa Collie, Haji Koshin, Felicity Blakely, Marcela Markland, Phillip Pithyov, & Edwar Eshow.
Published: 2005-10-03

This report documents the experience of a group of researchers who started a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project with the Assyrian Youth community in Wellington. The objective of the project…

Action Research Children & Youth Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

African Youth Health and Well-Being: Participatory Action Research Project

By: Evolve; Victoria University of Wellington
Published: 2005-10-03

This project aimed to strengthen the well-being of African Youth in Wellington by identifying issues they face, and developing strategies to address the issues. The project was implemented by Evolve,…

Action Research Health & Wellbeing
Ethnicity and Diversity

The Art of Walking Upright Here: Realising a Multicultural Society

By: Ruth DeSouza
Published: 2004-10-01

Background paper for the AsiaNZ Foundation’s Kiwi India Seminar Series: An Outline of the challenges facing Indian communities in New Zealand by drawing together the history of migration to New…

Asian Language and Culture Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

Motherhood, Migration and Methodology: Giving Voice to the “Other”

By: Ruth DeSouza
Published: 2004-09-01

This paper discusses the need for multi-cultural methodologies that develop knowledge about the maternity experience of migrant women and that are attuned to women’s maternity-related requirements under multi-cultural conditions. Little…

Health & Wellbeing Migrants and Former Refugees Women/Wāhine
Health

Refugees and Asylum Seekers Implications for ED Care in Auckland, New Zealand

By: Nicola Young, MPH, MPhil (Hons), RCpN, Dip Ed, RCpN, and Annette Mortensen
Published: 2003-08-29

The increasing use of emergency departments by refugee and migrant groups reflects the shifting ethnic composition of central Auckland. Refugees are different from other immigrants and from low-income families in…

Health & Wellbeing Migrants and Former Refugees Research & Evaluation
Ethnicity and Diversity

Systemic Racism: Refugee, Resettlement, and Education Policy in New Zealand

By: Louise Humpage
Published: 2001-07-02

Public policy in New Zealand increasingly makes reference to “inclusion of diversity,” “equality,” and “equity.” Yet refugees resettling in New Zealand continue to experience systemic racism based on the application…

Education & Training Migrants and Former Refugees Policy
Ethnicity and Diversity

Chinese Migrants’ Mental Health and Adjustment to Life in New Zealand

By: Max W. Abbott, Sai Wong, Maynard Williams, Ming Au, Wilson Young
Published: 2000-10-21

Objective : The purpose of this study was to identify and assess the relative importance of predictors of the self-rated adjustment and psychiatric morbidity of recent Chinese migrants. Method: Chinese…

Health & Wellbeing Mental Health Migrants and Former Refugees
Ethnicity and Diversity

Refashioning Racism: Immigration, Multiculturalism and an Election Year

By: Paul Spoonley, Lawrence Berg
Published: 2000-05-02

We wish to examine a number of events arising from statements made by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters during the 1996 election campaign and the public response to them.…

Governance & Kaitiakitanga Migrants and Former Refugees Racism

This collection seeks to play a crucial role in:

  • Creating spaces for the voices of those from a refugee-background and ethnic migrants on issues most affecting these communities by prioritising research done by and with people from these communities.
  • Contributing to a better understanding of issues related to ethnic migrants and those from a refugee-background among policy and decision makers, social practitioners, and organisations who work with people from these communities by emphasizing research based on real-lived experiences of people from these communities.
  • Contributing to the inclusion of ethnic migrants and refugee-background voices in the discussions of multicultural issues in New Zealand by providing access to research undertaken from their perspectives.

If you would like to add to this kete of knowledge, please contact us.

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