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)
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 Page 3
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.
(continued to page 4)
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
Page 4 Newsletter of Migrant Action Trust Issue 21
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.
Issue 21 Newsletter of Migrant Action Trust Page 5
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
Page 6 Newsletter of Migrant Action Trust Issue 21
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.
Issue 21 Newsletter of Migrant Action Trust Page 7
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.
Page 8 Newsletter of Migrant Action Trust Issue 21
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.
Issue 21 Newsletter of Migrant Action Trust Page 9
C.O.R. members update continued...
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.
Page 10 Newsletter of Migrant Action Trust Issue 21
C.O.R. members update continued...
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
(continued to page 12)
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
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