ARMS Reach -- ARMS Newsletter
Web Edition, March 2007
A full version copy in PDF format can be downloaded from here

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

What a busy time it's been so far this year-especially for communities. First we saw the Auckland Regional Settlement Strategy launched at the Museum Atrium, with 350 people enjoying the spectacular view across the region. Then came Waitangi Day followed by a string of events all related to celebrating cultural diversity and identity. The Auckland MultiCultural Festival, Pasifika Festival, AK 07, Ethnic Delight, International Women's Day are all opportunities to participate in the cross-cultural benefits of our wonderfully diverse population.

Race Relations Week from March 21-28 is another key opportunity to reflect on how far we have come in terms of our inter-cultural human relations. It's also a time to consider what is yet to be achieved in NZ to achieve respect for all human rights, to challenge racism, and to genuinely embrace biculturalism and diversity.

ARMS will mark Race Relations Week with Human Rights Commission staff onsite at Three Kings to meet with community members and hear their concerns. We will also be hosting the inaugural Tangata Tiriti-Treaty People Workshop. This interactive workshop will focus on understanding the place of newcomers in the Treaty relationship, with the real value coming from reflecting on our different heritages, and how they can contribute to a strong national identity for Aotearoa New Zealand.

In 2007, you will see ARMS taking a key role in implementing the Regional Settlement Strategy This will include initiating and collaborating on projects to acceptance amongst all Aucklanders. Settlement after all is very much a two-way process!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT-PATRON OF ARMS TRUST

On the eve of ARMS 4th anniversary, we are pleased to announce that His Excellency, the Governor -General of New Zealand, The Honourable Anand Satyanand, PCNZM, has accepted the office of patron of the Auckland Regional Migrant Services Charitable Trust. We are honoured by his acceptance.

RACE RELATIONS DAY: MARCH 21

Every year the number of people and organisations that mark Race Relations Day in New Zealand is growing. I welcome the continued participation of the Auckland Regional Migrant Centre, and particularly the joint project this year to have Human Rights Commission staff attend the centre in the week of 18-23 March to receive and discuss people's complaints about discrimination on the grounds of their ethnicity, national origins, colour, race or religion.

The Human Rights Commission can provide advice, information and mediation if necessary to address particular instances of discrimination in employment, the provision of goods and services, and government policy and practice (although the Commission cannot deal with decisions on individual immigration applications).

March 21 is the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It marks the anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre in South Africa in 1960, when apartheid was the government's policy and the law was based on racial discrimination and on oppression of the majority African population. With the abolition of apartheid, it is now a day to join the world in celebrating our diversity and reaffirming our commitment to racial equality.

The Human Rights Commission encourages all organisations to take part in some way - by having a shared lunch of diverse foods at work, wearing national costumes, highlighting the diversity of staff, multi-lingual greetings, having a quiz, a book display, a social activity, or just putting up a poster and promoting cultural diversity to staff and customers. One of the schools close to ARMS, Marcellin College, has made its own poster for the day (as illustrated).

The Commission distributes free posters, and publishes a review of race relations looking at what has happened in the past year and identifying challenges for the future. Copies of the poster (and of the annual review) can be obtained by emailing nzdiversity@hrc.co.nz or through ARMS. The review is launched in Auckland on 9 March.

The theme for Race Relations Day this year is Aotearoa New Zealand: 4 All of Us. It is about ensuring that all New Zealanders, wherever they come from and however long they have been here, are included and valued equally. The theme comes from the title of a new song by Pauly Fuemana, with backing by Lucy Lawless. They donated the title and use of the song for Race Relations Day.

The Commission is delighted to work with ARMS not only for Race Relations Day, but also as a participant in the Diversity Action Programme, with year round projects to promote positive race relations and cultural diversity. The Programme brings ARMS activities to a wider audience throughout New Zealand, and helps to share the Centre's experience with others. Other organisations are also encouraged to join this free Programme which connects organisations with a common commitment to recognising diversity. Details can be found at www.hrc.co.nz/diversity .

Here's wishing everyone associated with ARMS a successful Race Relations Day on Wednesday March 21.

UPDATE ON AUCKLAND CITY SETTLEMENT SUPPORT (SSNZ)

A year since it started, the Settlement Support NZ initiative in Auckland City has seen significant changes in the Settlement arena.

Led by an able Settlement Support Group, the SSNZ initiative in Auckland City has identified key local needs and played a pivotal role in bringing relevant agencies and community groups together to address these needs. This has included facilitating policy planners of relevant agencies to meet with community representatives to gain their input for policy development.

The SSNZ initiative in Auckland has seen the emergence of some interesting projects, guided by working groups comprising of members from the Support Group. These projects are Cross-Cultural Education and Awareness, Community Mapping , and New Settler Orientation. Other working groups advise and support the planning of Local Community Networks and the Local Settlement Network.

Auckland City had its first Local Settlement Network meeting for this year on the 7th March 2007. The meeting focused on Youth Education especially in the secondary and tertiary sectors, and on the support services in place for migrant and refugee youth transitioning into vocational training or employment. A directory of Youth Education and Support Services listing the youth support services available for migrant and refugee youth in Auckland City was provided to all participants .

The next Local Settlement Network meeting will be held on the 15th August 2007 and will address Education with a focus on Early Childhood, Primary and Intermediate sectors.

For information on the Settlement Support initiative in Auckland City do contact the Settlement Support Coordinator at the Auckland Regional Migrant Services at Three Kings.

Auckland City Settlement Support Co-ordinator :
Kiran Mallapur, Tel: 625 3093.

SUCCESS FOR WAITAKERE JOB SEEKERS

The first participants of an employment support group at Waitakere have proven that teamwork pays off.

The employment support group achieved great success with seven of the 10 participants finding work by the end of the programme, run by Migrant Action Trust and Settlement Support Waitakere.

As well as gaining practical job skills, participants enjoyed supporting each other through the job seeking process and the opportunity to make new contacts and meet them regularly.

"We receive a lot of queries about job hunting, so being able to offer newcomers practical help by forming a local support group was fantastic," says Waitakere Settlement Support Advisor, Jennie Derrick. "The 10 participants found the group very useful, so I am looking forward to forming another group soon."

The groups are designed for up to 12 people to meet and help each other find work by giving support and feedback. Trained facilitators lead the 16 three-hour meetings covering topics such as:

understanding the New Zealand labour market

handling interviews

looking for jobs

applying for jobs

life skills and stress management

UPDATE ON MANUKAU CITY SETTLEMENT SUPPORT NZ INITIATIVE

At its last meeting of 2006, the Manukau City Settlement Support Network was well attended. Participants worked in smaller groups to focus on the six settlement goals of the NZ Settlement Strategy to suggest organisations and strategies to be involved at the local level to achieve better coordination and outcomes for Manukau's new settlers.

A number of future actions were prioritised, including the need for ward based information hubs and topics for settlement related workshops for 2007. The Manukau Support Group will be busy implementing this local Settlement Plan, calling on the collaboration and expertise of many different agencies.

So far this year, a Migrant Home Buyers Workshop and an Accountants' Workshop have been held at the Manukau Centre. This workshop was conducted in collaboration with Housing New Zealand, Watson & Homes and the Settlement Support Pacifica Initiative and was well attended.

Work is underway to create a Manukau City directory of services for new settlers, with Salah Messiah (salahm@arms-mrc.org.nz) as the Resource Developer. ARMS acknowledges the generous support of the Sky City Trust for this project.

The next Local Settlement Network meeting for Manukau is expected to be held in mid April, a few weeks after the appointment of a new SSNZ Coordinator for Manukau. Details will be communicated more closer to the date.

NATIONAL MULTI LINGUAL INFORMATION SERVICE (CAB)

In The national Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) 'Awareness Week' held in March celebrates 'Diversity' - "diversity of its community, volunteers and services".

The Multi Lingual Information Service (MLIS) is an integral part of CAB and in addition to serving Auckland residents with a face to face and telephone service, It also serves as a national interpreting call centre in 26 languages that is accessible through your local CAB or Settlement Support Co-ordinators.

The MLIS staff have been diligently promoting this service within the various media sectors and networks of their own ethnic communities and presentations have been made to several of the educational providers 'Orientation Days' to assist international students in accessing the information they need to ensure that their time in NZ is a good memorable experience.

We extend an offer to any organisation who would like to know more about our free, impartial and confidential service of information, advice, advocacy and support to contact the MLIS on 625 3090 to arrange a mutually suitable time.

"Remember us as "the first place to start" when looking for answers to your questions, we are here to help you

Sherryl McKelvie, Settlement Services Manager

VOLUNTEER TUTOR SCHEME FOR REFUGEE STUDENTS

The New Zealand Government annual quota of 750 refugees come through the Mangere Refugee Reception Centre before settling throughout New Zealand. Many refugee children had disrupted education - sometimes up to 10 years are spent in refugee camps and have to make an enormous adjustment into NZ secondary schools. Parents from refugee communities place a great deal of emphasis on education for their children but most are unable to assist them due to their own lack of English.
The Volunteer Tutor scheme recruits, supports and trains volunteer tutors to work with refugee secondary school students. These students spend six weeks in classes at the refugee centre, then move into secondary schools in Auckland. The levels of students' ability in English and their level of previous education vary greatly.

Tutors are of assistance to students by helping them with the transition into New Zealand secondary schools, supporting them to understand how the school system function and assisting with homework, assignments and English language.

Coordinator Jan Lambert is looking for tutors who are sensitive to other cultures and who have the ability to understand the special difficulties facing refugee students. They need to have a good command of the English language, and to have studied at tertiary level. Anyone who has helped their own children through secondary school would be very suitable. A time commitment of 1-2 hours a week is required. If you are interested, please contact Coordinator Jan Lambert on telephone 921 9999 ext. 6357 or 021 783 791. You can also email her on heidi.birgel@aut.ac.nz

WHAT'S NEW AT ARMS?

Refugee Employment Project: ReactNow
ARMS is about to start its first targeted employment programme to assist refugee women into work. Our first programme starts on March 21st and will run for 8 weeks Wednesday and Friday from 10am - 1pm at the ARMS Centre in Three Kings Plaza.

ReactNow will prepare and assist participants to obtain jobs, with workshops focused on developing confidence and skills, related to job-readiness, including presenting and interviewing well. ARMS is making links with employers to identify a range of suitable placements or work experience. Each participant will be offered a mentor to support their job search and placement.

We've received a great response to our call for volunteer mentors, with 20 people signed on for our first training evenings. The training will be carried out by both RMS Refugee Resettlement and the NZ Mentoring Centre - on the elements of successful mentoring. If you are interested in knowing more, please contact Anna on 625 2440 ext 751 or email annaf@arms-mrc.org.nz


Update on Employment Workshops
ARMS holds weekly First Steps to Employment Workshops providing key information on NZ's employment culture and labour market, job search skills, workplace English, and NZ style CVs. ARMS also brings organisations together to provide specialised Pathways to Employment initiatives. These are targeted at specific groups of professional migrants to assist them into employment appropriate to their training and experience.

An Accountants Workshop was held recently at ARMS Manukau Centre, attended by 41 people. This provided information on qualifications, training available and employers' perspective. Small Business Workshops have been held at the Three Kings Centre for migrants thinking about or just starting a business. These workshops give valuable information on marketing, GST, tax, claiming expenses, health and safety and employment obligations.

Small Business Workshops will run at Manukau Centre in April and at Three Kings Centre in June. Their focus will be on setting up of business structure, laws & regulations impacting small business, central government and local government legislation affecting small business.

Future specialist workshops will target people looking for work in administration, medical and IT fields. Employment Workshops especially for Migrant Women will also be run on a regular basis throughout the year.

Employment Workshop Coordinator

ARMS BIDS FAREWELL TO DESMOND

Manukau City's Settlement Support Coordinator Desmond Abrahams has resigned from his position from March 2007after being with ARMS for four years . The Board, Executive Director and Staff of ARMS wish him well in all his future endeavours.

A farewell lunch will be held on March 27th-please contact Sharon on 26235490 if you wish to attend-for catering purposes.

NEW PROGRAMME DEVELOPER FOR AUCKLAND SSNZ

Lorraine Newman has joined the ARMS team as Programme Developer. Part of her role is to develop a comprehensive orientation programme for Auckland's new settlers to help them understand New Zealand's systems and culture to support them to settle well and quickly.

If you have ideas about what particularly helped you as a migrant or refugee to settle well, Lorraine would be very interested to hear these on lorrainen@arms-mrc.org.nz

FROM THE EDITOR

The March issue of ARMS Reach. is dedicated to Race Relations Day which falls on the 21st of March.

For all enquiries and for feedback, please contact me on 625 3095 or asokab@arms-mrc.org.nz

Asoka Basnayake