Research Papers

Below you will find a number of research papers related to refugee resettlement and refugee background communities in New Zealand. For more research papers and publications, you can also visit the Aotearoa NZ Refugee Research Directory by clicking here.

"So we thought not to lose our background complete": Agency and belonging among South Sudanese Acholi in New Zealand Examines the resettlement experiences of South Sudanese Acholi people in New Zealand and uses their narratives to explore the significance of agency when it comes to belonging and the importance of developing a stable sense of belonging during the resettlement process.

Doing it for ourselves and our children: Refugee women on their own in New Zealand Examines the resettlement experiences of women who entered New Zealand through the Women at Risk category or who became sole heads of households as a consequence of their resettlement experiences. Funded by the Lotteries Community Sector Research Fund and jointly undertaken by Refugee Services and Auckland University of Technology’s Centre for Asian and Migrant Health Research. January 2012

Does a Rising Tide Lift All Boats? Refugee Resettlement, Integration and New Zealand's Settlement Strategy, Prepared by Patti Grogan - July 2008

Immigration chronology: selected events 1840-2008 pdfIcon16x16 This paper outlines key immigration events that have impacted upon New Zealand society since 1840. Parliamentary Library Research Paper April 2008 Report

Social Policy Journal of New Zealand pdfIcon16x16 Social Policy Journal of New Zealand is a special issue on research funded by the Families Commission. The papers cover a range of topics including - (Creating Spaces to Listen to Parents' Voices: Methodological Reflections on the Early Childhood Care and Education Project involving Migrant and Refugee Families) Report (July 2009, Issue 35) Ministry of Social Development Prepared by:- Sara Kindon & Anne Broome

Diverse Communities - Exploring the Migrant and Refugee Experience in New Zealand pdfIcon16x16 Diverse Communities – Exploring the Migrant and Refugee Experience in New Zealand report brings together existing data and research findings on migrant and refugee outcomes in New Zealand. Research from Ministry of Social Development Report (1525KB) - July 2008

Connecting Diverse Communities A report on 15 meetings held around New Zealand to discuss diversity and social cohesion and responses to a written questionnaire. Facilitator for the Ministry of Social Development and the Office of Ethnic Affairs.

S.K.I.P - Strategies with Kids - Information for Parents pdfIcon16x16 "They are the reason why we came". Investigating the provision of parenting support for Wellington's former refugee communities. This initial step is to provide a scoping study of how the SKIP concept can be best transferred and adapted to meet the needs of refugee communities in the Wellington region. Scoping Study (Feb 2006 - 669KB) | Cover Page SCOPING STUDY February 2006 - By Rachel Ward

Wellington Regional Action Plan for Refugee Health and Well-Being The Wellington Regional Action Plan for Refugee Health and Well-Being contains a broad range of collaborative actions that collectively aim to achieve significant improvements in the health and well-being of refugee communities in the Wellington region. This resource provides a summary of research relating to refugee and migrant needs as identified by service providers, communities and researchers in New Zealand. The findings are classified into two parts, the first part reflecting the needs of refugee communities, and the second part providing an overview of the needs of both refugees and migrants. There are six parts to the Action Plan:
1. Action Plan
2. Summary of Inter-sectoral dialogue
3. Government Sector Stocktake
4. Non Government Organisation Directory
5. Refugee and Migrant Neets: an annotated bibliography of research and consultations
6. Victoria University of Wellington Paricipatory Action Research Projects
* Participatory Action Research with Assyrian Youth
* African Youth and Well-being: Participatory Action Research Project
* Homework Club Strengthening Refugee Youth Achievement
Prepared by Boutros Nam and Rachel Ward, February 2006.

Refugee Resettlement in New Zealand and Canada pdfIcon16x16 The first part of this report covers how refugees are selected for resettlement while the second looks at the integration of resettled refugees into the receiving societies. All issues are presented as observed in Canada and New Zealand. Report By Lynsey Parsons, November 2005

The Inter-generational settlement of refugee children in New Zealand pdfIcon16x16 A report on the findings of a survey conducted for Refugee Resettlement on the academic and vocational qualifications obtained by former refugee children. The report was written while the author was on the New Zealand Science, Mathematics and Technology Teacher Fellowship Scheme administered by The Royal Society of New Zealand Report by Gordon Campbell, 2003

Integration of older refugees pdfIcon16x16The integration experiences of older Assyrian, Cambodian and Somali refugees in Wellington. A paper submitted to Victoria University of Wellington in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Science. Report (412KB) Sarah Wong , 2003