migrant action trust newsletter, issue 21, dec 2014

January 2015 Newsletter ISSUE 21

Ethnic migrants in NZ growing

T he 2013 Census revealed a

New Zealand of increasing

ethnic diversity – 213 ethnic groups

to be exact.

The five largest ethnic groups

are New Zealand European, Maori,

Chinese, Samoan, and Indian.

Auckland’s population is now

1,415,550, an increase of 110,592

people since the 2006 census.

Some of the biggest expansions

in population were in the broader

Asian category, particularly in the

Chinese (16% increase), Indian

(48%), and Filipino (138%) ethnic

groups.

New Zealand, and Auckland in

particular, can now be classified as

"super diverse", according to

Massey University humanities and

Chinese: 45,2013 - NZ born; 124,494

overseas born. Median income:

$16,000

Indian: 36,012 - NZ born; 117,204 over-

seas born. Median income $27,400

Filipino: 5,652 - NZ born; 34,356 over-

seas born. Median income $30,000

social sciences research director

Professor Paul Spoonley. Twenty-

three per cent of Auckland is

Asian, now a very significant non-

majority population.

Quick facts about the three largest

Asian ethnic groups:

National election 2014

gggg he needs and interests of persons from migrant and refugee backgrounds are repeatedly ignored by government, despite migrant populations making

up more than 30% of NZ’s population, and although politicians are keen to enlist the voting power of this particular population during election time.

M igrant Action Trust (MAT)

held a “Meet the MPs Fo-

rum” in the lead up to the General

Election 2014 in conjunction with

the Living Wage Movement.

Candidates and Ministers of

Parliament (MPs) from all political

parties were invited to attend to

discuss key issues for the migrant

community. Attending were: Clau-

dette Hauiti (National), Michael

Wood (Labour), Laila Harre and

Roshni Sami (Internet MANA), Barry

Coates (Greens) and Asenati Lole-

Taylor (NZ First).

The forum lasted two hours,

during which time candidates and

MPs heard from former refu-

gees, migrant groups and the Living

Wage Movement.

There was also a workshop ses-

sion on each issue where MPs and

candidates could join groups lead-

ing discussions on issues and solu-

(continued to page 2)

Newsletter of Migrant Action Trust Issue 21

tions critical to our communities:

• Transition from university to work

• International students

• Safe & ethnically appropriate eld-

erly housing

• Undocumented workers

• Exploitation of work visa holders

• Living Wage

• Former refugee concerns

Participating organisations in-

clude: Auckland Latin American Com-

munity, African Communities Forum

Inc, Auckland Refugee Community

C o a l i t i o n ( A R C C ) , C h i -

nese Action Network - Bridging Trust,

Crescendo Trust, Japanese Commu-

nity, Living Wage Movement Aotearoa

NZ, MAT, Migrante Aotearoa NZ

(Migrante), NZ African Welfare Ser-

vices Trust, Pakistan Association of NZ,

SFWU-Migrant Advisory Group,

Sukhmani Charitable Trust (SCT), and

Union Network of Migrants

At the end of the workshop ses-

sion, each group leader got up and

gave an overview of the discussion

and what key concerns were identi-

fied from the discussion.

Following the event a letter was

sent to each party asking whether

their party could commit to the list of

key concerns (http://goo.gl/cT4iAr).

This event followed up with a Me-

dia Conference to present the party

responses to the commitment letter. In

2015 and beyond we will continue to

follow up with successful candidates

on how they have been able to put

these pledges into practice.

The same concerns have been

rai sed t ime and again and

National election… (continued from page 1)

the Migrant Action Trust, along with a

number of supporting community or-

ganizations and unions including SCT,

ARCC, Migrante, and the Living Wage

Movement are calling on the govern-

ment and potential members of parlia-

ment to address the concerns of those

communities. If they do not, it falls

upon these under-resourced commu-

nity organizations to take up the role

of central government.

Dr Camille Nakhid, Chair of

the Migrant Action Trust, urges those

from migrant and refugee backgrounds

to consider carefully the party and can-

didate to whom they give their vote.

So far, the incumbent party has re-

fused to agree to those issues that

the Trust has found to be of main con-

cern to migrants and refuges. These in-

clude having a well-resourced non-

government community-led hub to de-

liver appropriate settlement services

for migrant and refugee groups, a living

wage, durable family reunification poli-

cies, culturally appropriate housing for

the elderly, transition programmes for

international students to assist with em-

ployment upon graduation, pro-

grammes to legal i se undocu-

mented migrants, the granting of citi-

zenship to those children born to un-

documented migrants, and effective

protection and the opportunity to look

for new employment to migrant victims

of labour exploitation.

Issue 21 Newsletter of Migrant Action Trust

Local body election forum 2013

O n 7th Sept 2013 MAT held a “Meet

the Candidate Forum” inviting

Puketapapa Local Board and Auckland

Council candidates.

The forum raised awareness on the

living wage and issues facing migrant

communities as part of the Auckland Re-

gional Settlement Strategy which is de-

signed to provide a collaborative ap-

proach to grow an economically suc-

cessful region.

While MAT acknowledges the work

done to further this objective the forum

was evidence that there is more work to

do and that there is a need for local (and

national) government to listen and work

closely with those who are most affected.

The forum was supported by Living

Wage Aotearoa NZ and MAT including

groups: Migrante, Sukhmani Charitable

Trust, Chinese Action Network – Bridging

Trust, ONKOD Somali Youth Development

Inc Society, Auckland Refugee Commu-

nity Coalition, and African Communities

Forum Inc. At the forum candidates were

invited to make the following pledge as

part of their campaign:

• I commit to support Auckland Council

adopting a Living Wage by paying a

Living Wage to directly employed staff

and workers employed by contractors

delivering services on a regular and

on-going basis.

• I commit to promote opportunities for

internships, apprenticeships and co-

option of students of refugee back-

ground at Auckland Council.

• I commit to Auckland Council main-

taining and equitably resourcing the

Ethnic People Advisory like other

Local Boards, including that they

are provided some say in the de-

velopment of personnel policies to

ensure migrants and refugees are

given a fair share of Auckland

Council employment opportunities.

• I commit to engaging the refugee

and migrant community at least

twice a year during the electoral

term.

There were seven candidates for

the Puketapapa Local Board who

committed to the Living Wage pledge

prior to the local body elections last

year.

They were the full Roskill Commu-

nity Voice slate and Richard Barter of

the Citizens and Ratepayers team. Of

those four were elected: Julie Fairey,

Michael Wood, Harry Doig and David

Holm.

This group achieved a majority on

the Board and have committed to

advocacy for Auckland Council to

adopt a living wage, including con-

tractors, through our relevant submis-

sions so far to the parts of Council that

have a say on remuneration policy

(including the Mayor and Governing

Body).

Puketapapa Local Board have

included support for the Living Wage

clearly in the Puketapapa Local Board

Plan (final printed version to be

launched on 11 December 2014), us-

ing these words:

(“Vision” Section, p5)

Our vision for the local economy is fo-

cused on growing local business to

provide jobs and overcome inequali-

ties through a living wage."

(Outcomes Section "Thriving local

economy, good local jobs" p22):

Good jobs and a fair reward

We will be prosperous when

local people have good, secure

work and income to support them-

selves and their families and to

spend in the local community. To

this end we will advocate for a

'living wage' to be adopted by

Auckland Council, and, where

appropriate, by local employers

and support institutions and infra-

structure with the goal of higher

wage jobs."

We haven't put in a specific

initiative under that outcome but I

anticipate something may come

out of the Local Economic Devel-

opment Action Plan, which we will

be consulting on and finalising in

2015.


How did you come to know about Mi-

grant Action Trust? It was good that

MAT placed posters in libraries. I saw

the poster of MAT’s job search seminar

in New Lynn library.

Tell us about finding your current job -

how did you find the job advertise-

ment: I saw the job advert in SEEK.

How was the selection process? It

started with a phone interview then

face-to-face interview. The organisa-

tion also did referees’ checks wherein

they contacted my referees even if

they were based in the Philippines.

How did you feel? During my applica-

tion in the organisation, I made sure

that I apply the things I have learned

from the job search seminar. I started

with a fixed term appointment and

before my fixed term appointment

ended, I received my permanent ap-

pointment.

How has it been working in NZ so far?

As an HR professional in the education

industry, I am enjoying my work

wherein every day I learn new things

by supporting manager, staff and can-

didates in my current organisation. I

am also enjoying working with my

peers in my team / office, they are so

helpful and they enjoy sharing their

knowledge to me. In turn, I enjoy

learning from them. Every day, I feel

blessed that I have a work, organisa-

tion and team which I truly enjoy and

love.

Is there a message you would like to

share with government or your com-

munity about your experience? I am

very grateful of the support provided

by the government

through organizations

such as Migrant Action

Trust to new migrants

like me. As a new mi-

grant, with no relatives

in NZ, these support /

seminars are great in

providing practical

information and ad-

vices. Thank you!

Lizette inspires other

jobseekers during the Em-

ployment Forum held in

September 2014


The Puketapapa Local Board has also

been supporting Councillor Cathy Casey

with her work questioning Council as an

employer about what they are doing to

move to a living wage, and in particular

championing the idea of reallocating

some of the salary at the highest levels to

those currently paid below a living

wage.

Local body election… (continued from page 3)

“I’ve found a job!” Testimonies from new migrants who recently found work.

W hat is your home country:

Philippines

What did you train in there: I was a

graduate of Bachelor of Science in Busi-

ness Administration and MBA. However, I

chose to develop my career in human

resource management and human re-

source consultancy.

What was your job like there: I was

blessed to have had a challenging yet

fulfilling career in internal HR manage-

ment and external HR consulting gained

from multinational firms on industries in

shipping, supply chain management,

audit/consulting (including with Pricewa-

terhouseCoopers Philippines), and BPO

(business process outsourcing).

I reached the pinnacle of my HR career

before coming to New Zealand by be-

ing the Head of HR, reporting directly to

the CEO, for Odfjell in the Philippines

which is a leading company in the

global market for transportation and

storage of bulk liquid chemicals, acids,

edible oils and other special products.

How long have you been in NZ? 12

months, from January 2014

How did you come to NZ? Work visa,

specifically Silver Fern Visa

Tell us about your job search in NZ - what

did you do? Just before coming to New

Zealand, I have sent my CV to a couple

of multinational organizations wherein I

was invited for initial interviews during

my first week of arriving in NZ. How-

ever, they were looking for Kiwi experi-

ence. After these interviews and send-

ing other applications, I never re-

ceived any invitation for interviews. It

was very fortunate that during my

third week, I saw a poster of Job

Search Seminar of Migrant Action

Trust. I then attended the seminar

which I found very useful.

What was most helpful? The job search

seminar of Migrant Action Trust was

truly helpful for me since it gave me

information of the reality of NZ busi-

ness environment (i.e. 90% of compa-

nies are SMEs). From here, I learned

that what worked on my job applica-

tion in the Philippines would not be

effective in NZ. I learned from MAT

Seminar on how to create an NZ-

based CV. MAT also reminded me to

stay focused and remain positive de-

spite the possible many rejections I

may receive during my job search.

What worked for you? Everything that

MAT has taught me has helped me in

my job search. MAT has also given me

after seminar support wherein MAT did

mock up interview session for me. This

has helped me gain confidence and

after this mock up interview, I was

able to gain my first (and current) em-

ployment in NZ.

International students

from EDENZ Col-

lege attend a Start

Right in NZ seminar.

New buddies (mentors)

from Hope church undergo

training on how to support

their mentees.


Community services update

B uddy2Employment. This is a men-

toring programme where we get

successfully settled migrant buddies to

provide support to newcomer jobseekers.

In 2014 we held a buddy training in Sep-

tember and now have 12 active buddies

and 10 new migrants who are being

paired with a mentor.

We are grateful to the Hope Church

members for volunteering as buddies.

S tart Right in NZ - a pre-jobsearch seminar. It is a NZ jobsearch orien-

tation programme lasting 3.5 hours that is

run fortnightly. The programme helps new

migrant jobseekers understand the NZ

context as migrants.

Twenty five seminars attended by 186

people, wherein 75 have found jobs at an

average yearly salary of $25,000, equates

to MAT's annual contribution to the total

Auckland economy of $1.875M.

A fter Seminar Support. Once

clients have attended the job-

search seminar they can book in for

one-on-one support which includes:

CV writing, cover letter writing and

interview coaching. 70 clients were

supported in this service.

V oluntary Work Experience. This

provides new migrants with local

kiwi work experience that is typically

preferred by kiwi employers. It runs for

4 weeks, and allows the candidate to

have kiwi experience on their CV and

a kiwi reference.

Thirteen volunteers from many dif-

ferent countries had their local work

experience in MAT. These countries

included Somalia, the Philippines, Ja-

pan, China, South Korea, Sudan,

Yemen, Indonesia and Chile. These

volunteers contributed 905 hours at $20

per hour which totalled $18,100.

E mployment & Life Skills Sup-

port Group. From July – Sep

2013, two courses attended by 18 par-

ticipants were run by Karen Venter.

However, the ELSSG has been discon-

tinued due to lack of funding.

S tart Right in New Zealand in Span-ish – A funding from Auckland Lottery

Community enabled the Trust to hire a

contractor to translate, organise, coordi-

nate and conduct the workshop in Span-

ish.

Four of the five workshops has been

conducted, and two of them in Hamilton

in collaboration with the Hamilton Multi-

cultural Service Trust and Red Cross Ham-

ilton.

Luz Mery Vazquez-

Johnstone, discusses

how to jobsearch in NZ

context, with new mi-

grants coming from

Spanish speaking

countries


Community services update

S pecialised Forums. The Employ-

ment Forum is an avenue where

migrant job seekers, employers and em-

ployment decision-makers (such as HR or

recruitment agents) all come together

and are able to honestly discuss the re-

alities of short-listing for jobs, and what

makes an application stand out, and

what to avoid in your application; as

well as the process of how they actually

Successful migrants share their learning to jobseeker hopefuls during the Employment Forum held in September 2014.

fill their vacancies, e.g. the use of re-

ferrals and word of mouth.

The Networking Forum addresses

the reality that new migrants do not

have existing networks, and brings in

experts who have to network as part

of their job, or part of their business

strategy.

Held in 11 July 2013, Youth Career

and Jobsearch Conversation was spe-

cifically aimed at helping young peo-

ple from the Puketepapa Mt Roskill

Area improve their chances of finding

employment and guiding them into

identifying suitable career pathways.

This event gathered together employ-

ers, recruiters, career advisers and ser-

vice providers from the local area who

meaningfully engaged with the youth

who attended.

A total of 79 participants attended

the three forums.

Mt Roskill Multiethnic Toy

Library now opens

A ccess to affordable but quality toys

has always been a constant strug-

gle to many parents. And then there is

also the issue of storage space, not to

mention that children nowadays seems

to get tired easily of playing the same

toys. They would always want something

different every time.

The Mt Roskill Multi Ethnic Toy Library

was established to specifically address

these concerns. The library is stocked

with toys for children from 9 months to 8

years.

“We would love to have more fami-

lies to become a member of the library

so the children could enjoy these won-

derful toys,” said Vina and Evelyn, our

volunteer librarians. We currently have

16 member families with new members

joining each month. The target is to

serve 25 families with the current stock of

toys.

The toy library is open every Friday

from 10 am – 12 noon, and is located at

766 Sandringham Rd Ext, Mt Roskill.

For more information, please email

mtroskill.toylibrary@gmail .com or call

629 3500. Check out the available toys

at ht tp:// t inyur l .com/MtRosk i l l -

ToyLibrary and like us in Facebook to

be updated.

Vina and Evelyn (L-R) are happy to serve the commu-

nity through the toy library.


C.O.R. members update `̀̀̀

igrant Action Trust supports small ethnic community groups through the Common Office and Resource Project. Currently we are supporting 15 groups : Koreans (4), Japanese (3), Filipino (3), Chinese (1), Eritrean & Ethiopian (1), Somali (1),

Indian (1) and a professional group (multicultural IT professionals - 1).

K orean Women’s Association of

New Zealand (KWANZ) highlights

for the year include: Legal Forum, Busi-

ness and Employment Forum, Health Fo-

rum, Bushwalking group, Taekwondo

Classes, English classes, Computer classes

and Sewing Classes.

MAT has assisted with funding and

reporting, and provided facilities for some

of their workshops.

S ukhmani Charitable Trust (SCT). In

2014 its foci under the Peaceful Fam-

ily Project were:

• Children: learning and performing folk

dances, art classes, self defense

• Youth: Self defense classes, Student job

search, one-to-one support, Voluntary

work Zero waste, Garage Sale with

Earth Action Trust etc

• Elderly Support: Taking them out on site

seeing, Celebration of International

day for Senior Citizens, Workshop on

their rights and responsibilities, Self de-

fense

SCT also formed the Woman em-

powerment group, which meets

KWANZ supports their community by holding Legal Forum (left picture) and the Elderly Bushwalking.

Sukhmani provides a

holistic support to the

whole family - from

children to the elderly

N ew Zealand Nejashi Trust year's

activities included Homework class,

holiday program, language classes, toy

library, youth activity and sewing class.

MAT have supported and collabo-

rated with us in a variety of ways, includ-

ing: support in preparing funding applica-

tions, forwarding job opportunities, CV

prep, and workshops on different topics.

New Zealand Nejashi Trust ensures that

the children and the youths are engaged

through the homework centre and holiday

programmes (right)

monthly. Their activities included: knit-

ting about twenty outfits for new born

babies to be donated to Start Ship

Hospital; Woman entrepreneurship

and self defense.

MAT assisted with fundraising, pro-

viding space for art classes and Self

Defense and has given visibility by high-

lighting our activities in their newsletter

etc and encouraged community.

M igrante Aotearoa supports mi-

grant workers in NZ, and focuses

on employment rights and exploitation.

Highlights for 2014 include speaking

at the Diversity Forum in Christchurch,

Migrant Exploitation Forum highlighting

migrant exploitation in the workplace,

launching the video “Juan in Tranzit”

video on YouTube, as well as continuing

with their work to support migrant work-

ers.

MAT assisted us with funding and

reporting, as well as engaging in joint

projects such as the Election Forum

and the Living Wage Forum.


C.O.R. members update continued...

C hinese Action Network - Bridging Trust. Highlights of the group for

2014: provide mobile counselling to peo-

ple facing unemployment; provide social

services and community support to senior

Chinese who don't speak English when

they need assistance dealing with gov-

ernment agencies and health issues.

We also provide transport for senior

Chinese patients when they had trans-

port problems attending hospital ap-

pointments.

CAN-B Trust supports

the Chinese elderly need-

ing assistance particu-

larly on health issues.

O NKOD Somali Youth Develop-

ment Inc. Society (ONKOD)

provides Somali language and culture

class for NZ born Somali children. It is run

every Sunday, with 15-20 children attend-

ing regularly.

ONKOD also runs a soccer team,

which competes in an Auckland youth

league.

MAT supports ONKOD in their ac-

count management, funding application

and accountability advise, and advo-

cacy opportunity matters on former

refugee youth issues.

ONKOD runs a weekly Somali language class

for NZ born Somali children.

J apan Society of Auckland (JSA). Highlights included Japan Day 2014 (23

February 2014).

Over the course of 2014 MAT has

guided (JSA) through applying for several

grants, including a successful application

for Japan Day. This funding helped to

create a wonderful festival that everyone

enjoyed.

Japan Society of Auckland com-

mented: “It is great to have an organisa-

tion that we can seek advice from with

such a friendly and helpful man-

ner. Thank you M.A.T.”

The Japan Society of Auckland organizes a annual Japan Day event where everyone can

experience Japanese culture.

MAT has provided financial/

account management training; fund-

ing application advice; work space

and network opportunity with other

ethnic groups.

K atilingban Bisaya sa New Zea-land (KBNZ) is a social group sup-

porting Filipinos from the Visayas Region

in Auckland.

Key activities in 2014 include Diskoral

Dance Party, participation at the Sinulog

Festival (Filipino Carnival), Family Day

Out, Valentine’s Day Concert, Clean Up

Glen Eden Day, and Open Gathering

Christmas Concert.

MAT has supported in funding and

reporting, administration and strategic

planning.

Activities of the KBNZ include

(L-R, clockwise) Clean Up

Glen Eden Day, Diskoral

2014, Family Day Out and

Valentines' Day Concert.



D anran Japanese Elderly Group. Danran holds a monthly forum for

Elderly Japanese people to discuss issues

and socialise. One of the main concerns

right now is the availability of culturally

appropriate rest-home care. A represen-

tative from the Abbeyfield House (which

provides accommodation for independ-

ent elderly people) met with Danran to

discuss options. Danran has also sup-

ported two Earth Action Trust community

garage sales.

MAT has supported Danran by coor-

dinating the monthly meetings and assist-

ing with funding and reporting admini-

stration.

The Danran Japanese Elderly Group aims to

ensure that its members are not isolated from

the community by organizing socialization

events and participating in community events.

I nfinite Technology Society Inc. The ITSI 2014 highlights include con-

ducting a software testing workshop

series supporting 12 overseas-trained IT

migrants, to pass their ISTQB Exam in NZ.

This ran weekly for 3 months.

MAT supported ITSI with funding and

reporting, financial accounts, as well as

facilities for conducting the training.

The ITSI group’s principle “paying it forward” is put into action through the various IT training conducted where the

main facilitators are members who are working in the NZ IT industry.

Pinay Aotearoa holds event that

strengthen family relationship be-

tween and among the family members

- whether it’s a parenting workshop

or a clean-up event.

P inay Aotearoa. Highlights for 2014

is organizing the Parents Conversa-

tion Workshop at the Parenting Place in

Greenlane.

Pinay also supported the Whau River

clean up in Te Atatu, Matariki Tree Plant-

ing, and Christmas Lantern-making using

recycled materials and then donating

them to rest homes.

MAT assisted Pinay with funding appli-

cations and provided institutional sup-

port.

A uckland Youth Performing Arts

Centre trains young Korean chil-

dren who are musically inclined but who

cannot afford formal tuition and organ-

izes an annual concert.

The highlight for 2014 was the Joyful

Youth Orchestra 2014 Concert, supported

by the Auckland Creative Communities

Grant. MAT assisted with the funding ap-

plication.



NZ-born Japanese children are immersed with Japanese culture through the various activities and

events organized by Himawari.

H imawari Charitable Trust high-

lights for 2014 included starting a

new class for 5-6 year olds, holding the

Himawari Kid's festival in March, at the

children’s concert, the 5 and 6 year olds

class did a Japanese traditional Taiko

drumming performance.

MAT assisted the Trust with fundrais-

ing and reporting.

T he Korean Society of Auckland (KSA) organized an 'Employment

Rights, Work & employment Standards

Seminar' on 12 Feb. We worked with MSD

- Settling In, Raeburn House to inform

Korean residents especially newcomers,

on their basic of employment rights NZ.

We held the Korean Day, the big-

gest annual event of the Korean com-

munity in NZ on 15 March at the North

Shore Events Centre. We encouraged

Korean immigrants and other ethnic

people to participate to the event and

being part of community.

We worked in cooperation with Mi-

grant Action Trust and the Korean

Women's Association of NZ to hold the

Anti Bullying Workshop on 5 April 2014. It

was great opportunity for people to

overcome or tackle bullying at home,

in the community and online.

Prime Minister, Rt Hon John Key vis-

ited Korean Community Centre on 28

April 2014 to have a public meeting with

Korean resident. Through the various

question and answer session, it strength-

ened ties between NZ and Korean com-

munities.

We got involved in the Asia Pacific

Film Festival with Chinese, Indian,

Japanese and local community

groups and Korean films were

screened in Auckland. During the festi-

val, Korean night was hosted and tra-

ditional performance and foods were

also introduced.

During the year, we provided civil

consultation, JP, legal advice, job

searching consultation, free acupunc-

ture and smoke free clinic. We also

opened the afterschool programmes

such as Flute and Taekwondo class

and senior programmes like English

and computer class.

The Migrant Action Trust was al-

ways ready to help us and gave many

tips/advices on funding sources espe-

cially how we reach the funding, how

Korean Culture Society trains second generation

young people on traditional Korean performing arts.

K orean Culture Society (KCS). KCS has successfully broadened

the scope of their activities from per-

forming traditional music and dances to

also incorporating the Korean martial art

known as Tae-kwon-do and Korean lan-

guage into their community activities.

They also have held their own cultural

event to showcase youth cultural per-

formances, supported by other Korean

groups in the community. MAT has pro-

vided support on various different mat-

ters, especially our funding applica-

tions.

to apply, how to prepare for support-

ing documents and how to write up

the accountability report. For these

useful advices, we could get the fund-

ing and operate our programmes ef-

fectively.

Korean Society of Auckland supports its members to

successfully settle in NZ by providing English and com-

puter classes to the elderly and various arts and cultural

initiatives to the youths and young children.

Annual Report June 2014

K ia ora!

Welcome to the Migrant Action

Trust’s (MAT) 2014 Annual Report.

MAT exists to support migrants and

former refugees successfully settle in

New Zealand. In the past year, we have

seen significant changes and decisions

made to ensure MAT remains relevant to

the community it serve.

The Migrants Supporting Migrants

programme (Employment Pro-

gramme) remains the core activity of

MAT. More than 186 people have

been supported in their jobsearch en-

deavours through the Start Right in NZ

– a prejobsearch seminar, Voluntary

Work Experience, After Seminar Sup-

port (like CV and cover letter writing,

interview coaching and career coun-

s e l l i n g ) , B u dd y2 Emp l o ymen t

(mentoring) and Employment Support

Group.

We’ve also organised several spe-

cialised forum like the Employment

Forum, Networking Forum, Youth Ca-

reer and Jobsearch Conversation, and

Jobsearch Conversation with Enter-

prise Recruitment. We started pilot

testing two new projects – The English

for Migrant Jobseekers and Start Right

in New Zealand for Spanish speakers.

In June 2014, the Growing Confi-

dent Communities Together project,

funded through a 3-year grant from

the Community Development Scheme

of the Department of Internal Affairs,

was completed.

However, the project gave birth to

the Earth Action Trust (EAT), which was

officially registered in 11 December

2013.

The following projects are currently

being undertaken:

• Intercultural Community Garage

Sale project

• Feasibility study for a community-

based resource recovery enter-

prise

• Waste Minimisation Education Pro-

ject

• Resource Recovery Sewing Project

The Practical Help for Parents

which is part of the Assimilation to Inte-

gration Programme, have started op-

erating the Mt Roskill Multi Ethnic Toy

Library which is currently supporting 18

migrant families in accessing quality

and affordable educational toys for

young children aged 9 months up to 8

years.

The next step for the project is to

establish a Uniform and School Station-

ery Community bank which will greatly

help parents who are facing financial

difficulties with things such as the cost

of school uniforms and school station-

ery.

MAT continues to strengthen its

relationship with other organisations

such as the Living Wage Movement.

In the September 2013 local body

election, for example, together with six

other ethnic community groups, MAT

successfully organised the Meet the

Candidates Forum, which aimed to

raise awareness on the living wage

and issues facing migrant and former

refugees communities.

MAT maintains its strong connec-

tion within the Puketapapa commu-

nity through its active membership in

the Roskill Community Network, Project

P.E.T.E.R. and the Roskill Together.

In June 2014, we also said farewell

to Agnes Granada, the Trust Manager

of MAT in the last 8 years. She decided

to take on the challenge of taking the

Coordinator role for the Earth Action

Trust. Nevertheless, MAT and EAT still

remains connected through a memo-

randum of understanding signed later

in 2014.

We also said adieu to Jane Mueke,

our Community Development Worker

in the last three years.

We wish to acknowledge the tireless

work and contribution of the mem-

bers of the board and staff:

Richard Barter Secretary

Max Adler Trustee

Camille Nakhid Chairperson

Tanya Suin Deputy - Chair

Agnes Granada

Tatsuo Nishimura Programmes Coordinator

Jane Mueke

Honey Rasalan Trust Manager

Shaila Baht Finance Coordinator


Financial Overview 12 months ending June 2014

The full set of audited accounts can be requested from: Trust Manager, PO Box 57067 Owairaka, Auckland 1340

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

ANZ Staff Foundation

ASB Community Trust

Auckland Council

COGS

DIA ComDev Scheme

Four Winds Foundation

Infinity Foundation Ltd

Lottery Grants Board

MSD - CIR

MSD - MEA

Other income

TTCF

Todd Foundation

Youthtown

Grants and Other Income - July 2013 - June 2014 Where the funds were spent - July 2013 - June 2014

(continued from page 11)

Jane has been instrumental in making

the Growing Confident Communities

Project a success and connecting

MAT with the hard to reach members

of the former refugee and migrant

community.

We wish Granada and Jane good

luck in their future endeavours.

In May 2014, we also welcomed

Shaila Baht who will take on the role of

Finance Coordinator.

The whole MAT team and family, is

proud of our milestones and the lives

we had touched in the last 12 months.

We know that huge changes are hap-

pening in the migrant settlement sec-

tor beginning July 2014.

However, MAT embraces change

and we look forward to providing

even better and relevant services to

migrant and former refugee communi-

ties.

Thank you for the generous support of

Staff Foundation

…. and to our individual donors and benefactors…

Thank YouThank YouThank YouThank You

“Only those who give more than they receive

create a surplus which is the foundation of

sustainable design”

Let’s create a surplus!

Contribute now to Migrant Action Trust

ASB 12 -3077-0509589-00

or email [email protected] for

other ways to contribute.

“If not the community,

who else?”

766 Sandringham Rd Ext, MtRoskill

PO Box 57067, Owairaka, Auckland

Tel (09) 629 3500 Fax (09) 629 3504

www.migrantactiontrust.org.nz

[email protected]

A special thanks to Roshni

Sami for helping in research-

ing and writing this edition of

the MAT Newsletter and

Annual Report.

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

Operating Expense

Migrants Supporting Migrants

(Employment)

Assimilation to Integration (A2I)

Supporting Groups

Community Development

migrant action trust newsletter, issue 21, dec 2014

Documents

migrant groups

largest ethnic groups

wage movement aotearoa

largest asian ethnic

migrant community

ethnic migrants

migrante aotearoa nz

pakistan association