Migrants & Refugees
Settlement Support For Migrants & Refugees
Information for Refugees and Migrants – Welcome to NZ, Nau Mai Haere Mai
New Zealand has a refugee and migrant program that aims to provide support and assistance to refugees and migrants seeking to settle in the country. Here is some information that may be helpful for refugees and migrants considering New Zealand as their destination:
National
Migrants and other vulnerable workers – All workers on temporary visas (“migrant workers”) are entitled to the same minimum employment rights as any other workers in New Zealand. That means your employer must treat you fairly and provide you with minimum employment standards and a safe workplace.
What employment rights do I have as a migrant worker?
Dealing with discrimination and sexual and racial harassment by your employer
What are some signs that I am being exploited?
What can I do to protect myself from being exploited?
www.employment.govt.nz Free phone: 0800 20 90 20, for general enquiries about employment relations, pay and holidays.
New Zealand Now – When you move to a new country there are a million questions to answer, and sometimes you won’t even know who to ask. Immigration New Zealand has information services for new migrants to help them settle and work in New Zealand. https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/
Citizens Advice Bureau help people to know and understand their rights. Provides free and impartial information and advice on a wide range of matters through 80 centres across the country. Call 0800 FOR CAB (0800 367 222) or W: https://www.cab.org.nz/
Newcomers Networks is a network of groups throughout New Zealand welcoming newcomers. W: https://newcomers.co.nz/
Red Cross – Migrant Programs and refugee resettlement services – 0800 733 27677 https://www.redcross.org.nz/
Also see other government agencies on page:
Auckland:
Asylum Seeker Support Trust – safety, support and advocacy to seek asylum. P: 09-378-7434 W: https://asst.org.nz/
Belong Aotearoa – innovation and social change hub working to address systemic barriers to settlement for newcomers* in Aotearoa NZ., P: 09 625 2440 W: https://www.belong.org.nz/
Auckland Refugee Community Coalition (ARCC), is a collective working at a local, regional, and national level to contribute to positive change and advance the resettlement, integration, and thriving of forced migrants. 869 New North Road, Mt Albert, Auckland. Tel: 09 846 0110 W: https://arcc.org.nz/
Migrant Action Trust, assisting migrants and former refugee communities in integrating into the mainstream. P: 027 229 3502 W: https://www.migrantactiontrust.org/
Refugees as Survivors New Zealand, Phone (09) 270 0870 W: www.rasnz.co.nz
Other Cities:
Christchurch Resettlement Services, support people from refugee and migrant backgrounds by providing a range of professional services that build on strengths to promote wellbeing and resilience. Level 1, 283 Lincoln Road, Addington, Christchurch, (03) 335 0311 W: https://crs.org.nz/
Marlborough Multicultural Centre, 21 Henry Street Blenheim 7201, P: 03 579 6410 W: https://www.facebook.com/Marlborough.Multicultural.Centre/
Multicultural Nelson Tasman – supports migrants, former refugees and people from minority ethnicities, 544 Waimea Road Nelson, Phone: 03 539 0030, W: https://www.multiculturalnt.co.nz/
The Settlement Centre Waikato – helps newcomers to settle successfully in Hamilton and the Waikato, 46G Boundary Road, Hamilton Phone 07 853 2192 W: https://www.scw.org.nz/
Canterbury
Canterbury Refugee Resettlement and Resources Centre offers a free and confidential Drop-In Centre for those who need guidance or help about the resettlement issues. 39 Nursery Road, Philipstown, Christchurch 8011. P: (03) 377 2544 or (03) 377 2538. E: cantyrefugeecouncil@gmail.com, W: https://www.cantyrefugeecentre.org/
Wellington
ChangeMakers Refugee Forum (Wellington) – Supporting full participation of refugee background communities in life in Aotearo, Level 4, 39 Webb Street, Mount Cook, 6011. P: 04 801 5812 W: https://crf.org.nz/
New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils – an umbrella organisation for the ethnic communities of NZ. Its primary role is to promote, support and share information among the Regional Councils and New Zealand’s Ethnic Communities, Level 1, 192 Tinakori Road Thorndon, Wellington. P: 04 916 9177 W: https://multiculturalnz.org.nz/
New Zealand National Refugee Association, a refugee background-led association of independent refugee organisations dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights of refugees and refugee background communities through community development, refugee advocacy, lobbying, and facilitation of full and direct participation in civil society and decision-making processes at national and international levels.
Phone: 04 979 7262 | 04 213 7261 E: office@nznra.org W: https://www.nznra.org
Know your City
City Councils
Auckland City Council: 09 301 0101, W: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/
Christchurch:03 941 8999 , W: https://www.ccc.govt.nz/
Dunedin: 03 477 4000 W: https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/
Hamilton: 07 838 6699, W; https://www.hamilton.govt.nz
Wellington: 04 499 4444 W: https://wellington.govt.nz/
For other cities please see the Local Government NZ W: https://www.lgnz.co.nz/local-government-in-nz/new-zealands-councils
Community Support Services – See Kiwi Muslim Directory Page:
Emergency Services
Police, Fire, Ambulance – 111
Civil Defence: The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management leads the way in making New Zealand and its communities resilient to hazards and disasters. The website has details and contacts of local civil defence groups. W: https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/
Human Rights Commission: Works for a fair, safe and just society, where diversity is valued and human rights are respected. Freephone Info line: 0800 496877, W: https://tikatangata.org.nz/
Health
COVID-19 Help and advice in other languages https://covid19.govt.nz/
Healthline is a free telephone health information service for all the family. The service is staffed by registered nurses who will assess your health needs. Freephone: 0800 611116 for free 24-hour health advice; https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/health-care-services/healthline
Healthpoint provides up-to-date information about healthcare providers, referral expectations, services offered and common treatments. https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/
Plunket line – child health and parenting. 0800 933 922
Doctors and Health Care providers – See https://muslimdirectory.co.nz/
Finance Services and Welfare Support:
Banks:
ANZ : 0800 269 296
ASB : 0800 803 804
BNZ : 0800 275 269
Kiwi bank 0800 11 33 55
Westpac 0800 400 600
Saving for retirement KiwiSaver Information : https://www.ird.govt.nz/kiwisaver or call 0800 549 472
Amanah Ethical – Kiwisaver, Sharia compliant investment group, www.amanahnz.com 0508 AMANAH (262624)
Starting a business in New Zealand – https://www.business.govt.nz/ :Free business information and links to the wider business community. 0800 424 946
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise NZTE is New Zealand’s international business development agency. Information for offshore companies. 0800 555 888, https://www.nzte.govt.nz/
Immigration Consultants
Adeeb Ibram, Immigration consultant – info@fernzmigration.co.nz
Dr. Sana Ansari, NZ IAA No. 201901243, Aus MARN No. 2418542, Mob: +64 22 343 7717, E: dr.sanaansari@outlook.com
Saif Sheikh, McClymont Shaikh Immigration Specialists, advice@msimmigration.co.nz
TAX
Inland Revenue: The New Zealand Inland Revenue website provides information and services related to taxes. Applying for IRD no, Working for Families, Tax refund, etc. more info on website: https://www.ird.govt.nz/ or call 0800 227 774
Working for Families Tax Credits: 0800 227 773
Welfare Services
Community Services Card: can help you and your family with the costs of healthcare. You’ll pay less on some health services and prescriptions. Free phone on 0800 999 999 with any questions and How to Apply. https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/
Work and Income provides financial assistance and employment services throughout New Zealand. 0800 559009; W: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/
Working for Families 0800 774 004
NZ Superannuation 0800 552 002
Residential Care Subsidy 0800 999 727
Residential Support Subsidy 0800 999 779
SuperGold Card is a discounts and concessions card issued free to all eligible older persons. Free phone: 0800 254 565.
Student Finance/Study Link 0800 889 900
Driving in NZ
Drive has everything you need to prepare for your learner, restricted and full licence tests. https://drive.govt.nz/
The official New Zealand road code is a user-friendly guide to New Zealand’s traffic law and safe driving practices. You will be tested on this information in your theory and practical driving tests. W: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/roadcode
The NZ Transport Agency creates transport solutions for a thriving New Zealand. Driver licensing: 0800 822 422, W: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/
Car Driving Licence
Book for car licence –
AA – The New Zealand Automobile Association Inc.: 0800 500 444 24-hour AA Roadservice: 0800 500 222 Mobile: *222
VTNZ – 0800 88 88 69, https://vtnz.co.nz/
Car Driving Instructors
Programmes to help people learn to drive, see https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00041355
AA Driving classes – 0800 500 444
ABCDrive Limited, Registered Driving Instructor/ Tutor, Auckland A. Hameed – 0276607169
Accelar8 Driving Academy, Registered Driving Instructor/ Tutor. Auckland. Ahmed – 021 133 3579
Aryan Driving School, Hassan – 0212435525
Education/Qualifications
Childcare
Barnardos: 0800 227 627
JeMMa’s: 0800-536627
New Zealand Kindergartens Inc. P: 04 471-0775 W: https://nzkindergarten.org.nz/
Ministry of Education: 0800 225 5428 W: https://www.education.govt.nz/
NZQA administers the National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEAs) for secondary school students and is responsible for the quality assurance of non-university tertiary training providers. 0800 697 296, W: https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/
DynaSpeak: school of English within Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Level 10, 238 Queen Street , Auckland P: 09-377 2434, W: https://www.dynaspeak.ac.nz/
English Language Partners: Working in partnership with refugees and migrants. Have centres all over New Zealand. Visit the website to locate the centre near you. P: 04 471 2382 . https://www.englishlanguage.org.nz/.
Literacy Aotearoa is established to develop, promote and deliver accessible high quality literacy services designed to ensure the peoples of Aotearoa are critically literate and able to realise their full social, cultural and economic potential.0800 900 999 W https://www.literacy.org.nz/
Schools and Universities see Muslim Kids Page:
Employment
Careers New Zealand is the government agency responsible for leading the career development of all New Zealanders. Helps for decisions about work and learning in NZ. 0800 222 733, W: www.careers.govt.nz
NEW to New Zealand: www.careers.govt.nz/how-to-get-a-job/new-to-new-zealand
Careerjet – https://www.careerjet.co.nz/
Jobted – https://wwCareerjetw.jobted.co.nz/
Government Jobs – https://jobs.govt.nz/
Seek – https://www.seek.co.nz/
Trade Me Jobs : https://www.trademe.co.nz/
Student Job Search: https://www.sjs.co.nz/
Wise Recruitment NZ: https://www.wiserecruitment.co.nz/
Housing, Power and Connectivity
Tenancy Services – Government – For tenancy advice, bond and information: Call 0800 TENANCY (0800 83 62 62) https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/
Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities https://kaingaora.govt.nz/
NZ Flat Finder: https://www.flatfinder.co.nz/
Real Estate NZ: https://www.realestate.co.nz/
Trade Me Property: https://www.trademe.co.nz/ Power: Power Switch – for list of electricity providers nationwide and deals. https://www.powerswitch.org.nz/
Telecommunication: Fixed line, broadband and mobile phone – list of providers nationwide and deals comparison website https://www.broadbandcompare.co.nz/
