Esther Ashby-Coventry
05:00, Dec 31 2021

Multicultural Aoraki work with all ethnicities in South Canterbury to support people to fully participate in the community, from left, support manager Mandy Wills, community connector Tracey Miron, manager Katy Houstoun and Thea Stevenson.

Multicultural Aoraki’s services have grown over the past few years as demand continues to increase.

The non-profit organisation, which employs two part-time and two full-time staff members, supports migrants and has been working with about 300 families in the district over 2021, manager Katy Houstoun​ said.

“We haven’t had a lot of newcomers since Covid, but we have had some from within New Zealand. A lot of people are disconnected and don’t know how to ask for help or are too shy. We walk alongside them,” she said.

She said the Christchurch mosque attacks in 2019 had placed different ethnicities in the forefront of Kiwis’ minds and the realisation of what support they needed.

Another issue was that non-residents could not get free English lessons or worked long hours, and it was hard for them to fit it in is so the organisation has a volunteer to help them improve their English skills.

“Covid has shown us that people who come to New Zealand need wrap around support.”

In 2020, many non-resident migrants lost their jobs overnight and had to transfer their visas to a new category, or new job, but while waiting had no income as they were not entitled to any benefits.

If their partner was on a visitor visa they were stuck with no means of working or returning to their homeland, Houstoun said.

An immigration advisor visits the Sophia St centre once a week to guide people through 15 minute free consultation sessions.

“It is a confusing system, and it is important to get the correct information.”

She said in the future they would like to work alongside employers more.

“A lot of people need support outside their employers and social connection outside work.”

Seeing people empowered to access services themselves and thrive in the community, gave Houstoun job satisfaction.

To reach into the community the organisation’s community connector Tracey Miron has been working in partnership with Neighbourhood Support on an Initiative called Aoraki Connect, which is funded by the Aoraki Foundation.

It comprises a group of 20 people from different ethnicities who have been learning first aid, and connected with St John, Victim Support, Fire and Emergency New Zealand and police.

“It’s about connecting them with their neighbourhood to help others in the community,’’ Miron said.

“It’s about confidence to meet new people and tell them about the bin system, first aid and prepare for emergencies, and know what agencies do.’’

Miron said some of the families they worked with did not have a support network so had no-one to help them move house, or look after older children when the mother was in hospital giving birth to a new baby.

“We help them participate in the community and navigate our systems such as Work and Income, Inland Revenue, court, budget advice or connect with social services and health needs.”

Multicultural Aoraki, formerly Aoraki Migrant Centre, was founded in 2004 in response to the South East Asian Boxing Day tsunami to support and fundraise for families affected by it.

The service evolved to help all migrants who moved to South Canterbury.

Presbyterian Support South Canterbury refugee settlement manager Fiona Jackson said the organisation had supported three former refugee families over 2021.

“There was one family arrival during the year. The effects of Covid have had ongoing implications on settlement this year,’’ Jackson said.

“We look forward to supporting new families arriving in Timaru in early 2022.’’

Learn more: stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/the-timaru-report-demand-for-multicultural-services-increases