A Look Back on 2010
Implementing “Pathways”, a new comprehensive resettlement plan for former refugees in New Zealand, and participating in the first Powhiri at Mangere Refugee Reception Centre were two very significant milestones for us this year. The Powhiri, developed in partnership with the Department of Labour and which will become a regular event at the centre, recognises the importance of welcoming incoming refugee families to their new country, while the Pathways initiative provides them with a stronger framework to guide them through the initial stages of resettlement in New Zealand and into the longer term aspects of their settlement journey by focusing more on their goals and aspirations.
In the wider refugee sector, ongoing promotion of refugee-centred dialogue has continued with four regional Refugee Resettlement Forums in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch in February of 2010, and in May, the Department of Labour held
the annual National Refugee Resettlement Forum in Wellington. This was the third year for the regional forums and the sixth year for the National Resettlement Forum. Meanwhile Settling In, a community-based initiative that helps migrants and refugees become valued and connected parts of their community, also took the significant step of holding the very first Refugee Forum in the Nelson area. Community events all around the country brought refugee background families and communities together in a variety of ways, from the EthKick 10 Football Festival in Palmerston North held in March to cultural performances and art auctions held throughout New Zealand in recognition of World Refugee Day in June. Whether celebrating a single culture or celebrating New Zealand’s wealth of ethnic diversity, as at the Festival of Cultures in Palmerston North, refugee background communities and host communities came together throughout 2010, in recognition of the importance of the many cultures that former refugees bring to New Zealand.
Refugee Services is also pleased to recognise a number of supporters who made significant contributions to our work over the course of 2010. The Lee Foundation donated funding for three brand new Hyundai vehicles to the Greater Wellington Area, Refugee Services in Palmerston North received an $80,000 crown funding grant from the Department of Internal Affairs, New Zealand’s Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) contributing over $26,000 in funding and the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board continued it’s generous ongoing support with $223,000.
But in addition to these large donors, 2010 also brought us a number of young supporters around the country, reminding us that one can never be too young to believe in and contribute to a cause. Students from Kristin, an independent and non-denominational school in the Auckland area raised $17,000 and designed and built a beautiful new garden at Mangere Refugee Reception Centre. Woodford House students in Hawke’s Bay donated money and goods for incoming refugees, and a Year 4 class from Edendale Primary School in Auckland held a bake sale raising $500 for Refugee Services. Our youngest supporter of 2010, six-year-old Phoenix Szymkowiak, donated $94.50, the proceeds from a Pyjama Day that she organised at Berhampore School in Wellington.
In August, our Palmerston North volunteers were named Runners-Up in the Health and Wellbeing category of the TrustPower Community Awards, and Hon. Tariana Turia, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector honoured Volunteer Support Workers from Wellington, Porirua and the Hutt Valley at the area’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Evening. Minister Turia offered "gratitude and acknowledgement to all of the people who do so much to make newcomers feel welcome.... What you have done," she continued, "is provide the pathway to peace of mind.... There is nothing more inspiring than working together, for the good of all. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” At Refugee Services, we couldn’t do the work we do without the help of our dedicated volunteers, and it was our pleasure to see their contribution recognised from outside the organisation as well.
We also faced challenges in 2010, firstly with losing beloved members of our family and secondly in coping with a huge natural disaster in one of our major resettlement locations. Maggie Brown, Charles Cameron, Shirley Dearsly and Ambrose (Hock Kiat) Tiong passed away in 2010, having given their time and support to Refugee Services and countless former refugees over the years. Then in September, the strength of Christchurch’s former refugees and the area’s Refugee Services staff was tested by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake that shook the Canterbury region, and we were very pleased to see the whole community rise to the occasion.
Through it all, our volunteers, donors and both government and non-government partners have enabled us to maintain our high level of dedicated support for former refugees resettling in New Zealand, and for that, we are very grateful. We are proud of what we and New Zealand’s refugee communities have accomplished in 2010, and we thank all of our supporters, past, present and future.