Sector Update - 12 June 2025

 Kia ora koutou,

As we navigate another busy period, the policy landscape continues to shift rapidly, making our collective voice increasingly important in ensuring that refugee-background and migrant communities are heard and prioritised in decisions that directly impact their wellbeing.

 

One area demanding our immediate attention is the Regulatory Standards Bill. We are currently preparing our submission and encourage others to do the same. This Bill deeply concerns us because it undermines Te Tiriti o Waitangi and prioritises private interests over the collective wellbeing, human rights, and environmental protections that are essential to an inclusive Aotearoa. The proposed changes lack meaningful consultation with Māori and reflect a narrow agenda that would entrench inequality while constraining our ability to address the complex challenges our communities face. We will be sharing our submission shortly.

 

Another recent development is the Government's new parent-connect visa, which has been welcomed by some as providing more family pathways but comes with significant financial barriers. The policy risks locking out exactly the low-income workers who sustain our care systems - those who arguably need family connection the most. These workers, already excluded from pay equity progress, now face further barriers through high income thresholds. We support change that enables our communities to stay connected with their families, especially vital for migrant and former refugee workers who form the backbone of essential sectors like healthcare and education.

 

While that work continues, we were delighted to host Phil Twyford, MP for Te Atatū, who recently visited one of our Safari Playgroups and joined a Refugee Alliance meeting to hear directly from the sector. We raised urgent issues around family reunification delays of over 10 years, restrictive eligibility criteria, and barriers preventing refugees from accessing employment and education - all of which impact mental health and limit communities' ability to thrive in Aotearoa. Phil responded with strong support for our policy asks and shared additional proposals that Labour is developing to address these systemic issues.

 

These interconnected issues underscore why our advocacy remains crucial, with our commitment to transformational change for inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing guiding every step we take. We're grateful for our supporters and remain committed to engaging across the political spectrum to ensure our communities feel genuinely valued through policies that support their belonging to Aotearoa.

 

Before I sign off, I wish our Muslim whānau a belated Eid Mubarak in light of the recent Eid-al-Adha celebrations.

Ngā mihi,

Angela Wilton

Chief Executive Officer,

Belong Aotearoa

Media

Unemployed Asians battle 'lazy' stigma in silence (RNZ, 10 June)

  • Belong Aotearoa’s CE Angela Wilton is interviewed in this article on the stigma surrounding joblessness that deters many Asian individuals from seeking financial assistance from the government during times of unemployment.

 

‘Stuck between doors’: Asylum seeker refused bank account during 15-month wait for refugee status (Stuff, 4 June)

  • *Nikita, a 53-year-old asylum seeker has been awaiting refugee status in New Zealand for more than 15 months.

 

Job losses hit temporary migrant workers hard (The Post, 3 June)

  • With job losses hitting migrants hard during the country’s economic woes, support services say more needs to be done to help them in times of crisis.

 

Children’s Commissioner’s concern for the Kiwi kids told they don’t belong here (Stuff, 30 May)

  • The Children’s Commissioner is worried that the law preventing children of overstayers becoming Kiwis may breach our UN obligations.

 

Events

Ethnic Communities Hui on Local Elections (Belong Aotearoa)

  • Join us for an informative and interactive session about how to stand as a candidate in the upcoming local elections, understand the process, and explore how to engage more in civic life. This session will include a presentation by Elodie Fountaine from Auckland Council, ‘How to Become a Candidate’.

  • Thursday, 19 June, 2pm - 4pm, Community Waitākere, Level 1, 20 Alderman Drive, Henderson, Auckland.

  • Light refreshments provided.

  • Register to attend.

 

Te Tiriti o Waitangi Training Workshop (Ethnic Rainbow Alliance)

  • This one-day wānanga was created by community, for community. Led by Kirsty and Tawhana, this is a space for whakawhanaungatanga, learning, and honest kōrero about Te Tiriti—what it means, how it’s been honoured or breached, and where we go from here. Free entry, bookings essential.

  • Saturday 21 June 2025, 9am - 4:30pm, Grey Lynn Community Centre, Auckland

  • Register for the workshop.

ICYMI

Help Improve Support Services for Young Asian Sexual Violence Survivors (Centre for Arts and Social Transformation, University of Auckland)

  • Auckland University is conducting a study to understand the challenges faced by support service providers in helping young Asian sexual violence survivors in Aotearoa New Zealand. This study aims to gather insights to shape a future Strategic Model for Enhanced Health Service Delivery, with the goal of providing better-integrated support for these survivors. They are looking for participants who are:

    • 18 years or older, currently living in New Zealand

    • Support service providers (e.g., legal, school support, healthcare, mental health professionals)

    • Have current or past experience (within the last 5 years) in supporting young Asian sexual violence survivors.

  • Participants will be interviewed through Zoom/Teams or face-to-face lasting 1 to 1.5 hours. You will receive a $80 Prezzie Card as a thank you for your time and effort.

  • If you would like more information, please contact: Dr Ying (Ingrid) Wangi.wang@auckland.ac.nz

 

Survey on language maintenance and shift in the NZ Chinese community - a focus on Cantonese (Auckland University)

  • Do you or your whānau have strong connections to Cantonese in Aotearoa New Zealand? This research explores the experiences of Cantonese-speaking families in NZ—how the language is used, maintained, and valued as part of identity. Your input will make a big difference in shaping how we support language and cultural heritage going forward.

  • Participants do not need to be fluent Cantonese speakers; they can speak or understand any dialect or just be able to understand a few words. The researchers are interested in knowing what the status of Cantonese is for those who have the language somewhere in their heritage.

  • Fill out the short survey: Survey in English language or Survey in Traditional Chinese

 

Regulatory Standards Bill submission guide (Public Service Association)

  • Submissions on the Regulatory Standards Bill close 1pm on Monday 23rd June.

  • For more information on the impact of the proposed Bill, and how to make a submission, see the PSA’s guide.

China Gonzalez