Strategy helping settlement in New Zealand

Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter today reiterated the government’s commitment to helping migrants and refugees settle in New Zealand.

Mr Carter, speaking at a function for ethnic communities and migrant and refugee support organisations, also launched a booklet outlining the government’s Settlement Strategy.

The strategy, led by Immigration Minister Paul Swain, will see an additional $62.5m spent over four years. It includes: $39m increase in ESOL funding for adult education programmes and tertiary institutions; $11.7m to establish a national network of migrant resource services $6m for the Refugee and Migrant Service $4m on career, labour market and workplace advice; $300,000 for NZQA to assess overseas qualifications for refugees $1m to support a national settlement secretariat to improve coordination between government agencies and other organisations.

The strategy targets issues many people face when settling in New Zealand. These include access to education, language services, health, housing and employment as well as cultural integration and community involvement. It also aims to improve coordination among government agencies.
“Settlement is about providing conditions in which migrants and refugees can realise their full potential and build successful lives in a new home,” Mr Carter said.

“That is why we are committed to providing a better quality and better co-ordinated settlement service which can allow migrants and refugees to unlock their potential. It’s also about a whole-of-government approach to developing settlement services.”

Around 100 people attended the function including Internal Affairs Minister George Hawkins, Wellington region mayors as well as central and local government representatives.

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