Sector Update - 14 August 2025
Kia ora koutou,
As local elections begin to ramp up, it’s exciting to wonder who our representatives will be. Candidate information is now available, and it’s the perfect time to learn more about who’s putting their hand up to lead. We encourage everyone to engage, whether it’s attending a candidate forum, voting, or just having conversations about what matters in your community. Local government has real influence over our daily lives, and it’s critical that our elected representatives reflect both the diversity of our communities and the issues that impact us most. Local elections are happening all over Aotearoa, and your local Council will have plenty of information available. If you live in Tāmaki Makaurau, there is a great online platform, Vote, Actually, that makes learning about your candidates even easier.
Nadir, our Community Engagement Lead, running an event on how to run for local elections for ethnic communities.
Recently, I had the pleasure of presenting our work to the Henderson-Massey Local Board, alongside our Community Engagement Lead, Nadir. We’re deeply grateful for the Board’s interest and support, and it's always encouraging to connect with representatives who want to hear about issues affecting migrants and former refugees. We’ll be continuing to actively engage with the people and processes that shape the future of our communities, because politics isn’t just for those in power, it’s for all of us who call Aotearoa home.
We’re also excited to share that our Impact Report, a comprehensive, independently conducted review of our mahi over the last three years, is launching soon! Developed in collaboration with researchers from the Centre for Social Innovation, the report provides valuable insights into the impacts of our work, and the lessons have sparked a refresh of our strategy. We’re sharpening our focus and redoubling our efforts where they’re most needed. Watch this space!
Ngā mihi,
Angela Wilton
Chief Executive Officer, Belong Aotearoa
In Case You Missed It
New seasonal visa pathways to support workforce demand (Immigration New Zealand)
Starting 8 December 2025, the Government will introduce two new visa options under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework to help fill seasonal labour shortages: the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV)—valid for up to 3 years, aimed at skilled seasonal roles and the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)—lasting up to 7 months, for entry-level or lower-skilled positions.
Both visas eliminate English language requirements and include specific experience criteria. They’re tailored to ensure fair, flexible, and seasonal-focused immigration pathways
For more details, see the Immigration New Zealand website.
Events
Join Belong Aotearoa’s Board
Belong Aotearoa is seeking new Board Members to help shape change for former refugee and migrant communities. We’re looking for people with skills in governance, finance, law, HR, or leadership—especially those with lived experience or social enterprise backgrounds.
Auckland-based, national reach | 8 hrs/month | 2-year term | Expenses covered
Apply here by Monday 18 August.
Research Participants Wanted: Share Your Te Tiriti Workshop Experience
Are you from a refugee background and have attended a Te Tiriti o Waitangi workshop? Researchers from the University of Auckland want to hear from you! Take part in a 1:1 or group interview (with refreshments!) and receive a $50 voucher as a thank you.
Your insights will help improve Treaty education for diverse communities.
To join, email Dr. Alejandra González Campanella: alejandra.gonzalez@auckland.ac.nz or Research Assistant, Maria maria.ahmad@auckland.ac.nz
Do you work in the social impact space? Come to Meet2Connect! (Belong Aotearoa)
Meet2Connect is a monthly shared lunch where people working in community, social change, and impact spaces can connect, collaborate, and spark new ideas — all over kai.
When: every third Wednesday of the month, from 12.30pm to 2. 00pm. All you need to do is bring a plate.
If you're passionate about social impact and community-led change, we’d love to see you there. Email Nadir at nadir@belong.org.nz to join the next shared lunch.
Free Yoga for all (Citizens Advice Bureau Pakuranga)
Louise, a highly trained yoga teacher will take you through a gentle one-hour practice. Learn mindfulness, movement, breath awareness and stretching. Suitable for everyone including beginners. Bring a cushion and a yoga mat if you have one.
Date & Time: Wednesday 20th August, 10 am to 11 am.
Venue: Nixon Park Community Hall, 70 Sale Street, Howick
Registration Necessary: Text – 022 308 9337 OR Email -settlement.pakuranga@cab.org.nz
Ōtautahi Welcoming Dinner (InCommon)
Join InCommon for a meal and traditional music to welcome some of their newest residents, including former refugees who now call Ōtautahi Christchurch home.
Connect and meet others over a delicious Eritrean meal cooked by the Share Kai Cooks Collective and enjoy lovely traditional Eritrean music performance by a group of Eritrean musicians, also newly settling in Ōtautahi!
Date and time: 6pm Friday September 5th 2025
Venue: Multicultural Recreation and Community Centre, 455 Hagley Avenue
Tickets can be found here.
Media
University of Auckland joins Global Refugee Initiative (University of Auckland)
The University of Auckland, through The Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies, is providing input into a 7-year international research project focused on reimagining responses to forced migration
3,145 candidates running in local elections (The Spinoff)
As we look to encourage greater diversity in our local government and our political representatives, while not broken down by ethnicity, this article provides some insights into the most common names running in the local elections (spoiler alert: John, Peter, Chris, and David the most popular, and fewer women are running)
Advisory group links migrant exploitation to organised crime (Radio New Zealand)
A ministerial advisory group has linked migrant exploitation in New Zealand to organised crime
Read the full story here.