Belong Aotearoa Sector Update 10 September 2026
Kia ora e te whānau,
I grew up on the shores of Lake Ontario - it feels like an ocean, where you stand at the water's edge and can't see the other side. So, it was both horrifying and amusing when Trump recently signed an executive order renaming it 'Lake America' amid his trade war with Canada.
IIndigenous communities have watched this pattern for centuries - water, mountains and land simply claimed and renamed by someone more powerful (it isn't lost on me that I write this from empire-christened 'Mount Albert', aka Ōwairaka).
Watching PM Carney calmly push back on Trump's populist bullying made me wonder what leadership that actually challenges anti-migrant fearmongering might look like here. Because closer to home, we’re seeing the same playbook running. On Monday I passed election signs reading 'New Zealanders First' - language lifted straight from the script that blames economic pain on migrants rather than putting the blame on economies designed to reward some and abandon others.
Europe is folding under that pressure: in Germany's Saxony-Anhalt state election, the AfD - a party promoting 'remigration', deportations, and segregated schools for refugee children - won roughly 44 percent, while European asylum policy drifts toward offshoring claimants as Australia has for decades.
None of this is solely about immigration; it's about deepening inequality and leaders who find it easier to point at newcomers than at the systems producing the gap. It would be easy to feel the anti-migrant forces are winning everywhere, all at once.
But the counterforces are just as real: the Human Rights Commission's Where We Belong campaign, twenty women with diverse migration stories gathering at a marae for our Intercultural Women's Leadership Initiative, the CAHRE 'Reimagining Healthy Futures Through Ethnic Minority Lenses' conference, and feedback from last month's Belonging and Social Cohesion Kōrero, show us that people want more chances to connect and shift harmful narratives. Community, connection, and knowledge are stronger forces than fear!
At Te Tahawai Marae for the Intercultural Women’s Leadership initiative, led by Kaye Maree Dunn and Ziena Jalil.
Joining the ‘Reimagining Healthy Futures Through Ethnic Minority Lenses’ conference at the University of Auckland.
In that spirit, if you're of migrant or refugee background, please complete the wellbeing survey we've partnered with AUT on - evidence is how we make the case for what diverse communities need. And make sure you're enrolled to vote by 25 October for the 7 November elections. Like Lake Ontario, we may not be able to see the other side of this populist trajectory - but we don't need to see the whole picture to know something is worth looking after. Let's keep on keeping on.
Mauri ora,
Angela Wilton
Chief Executive Officer, Belong Aotearoa
In Case You Missed It
Skilled migrant changes may shorten residency path for eligible master's graduates
New Zealand master’s graduates may now have an accelerated path to residency after changes to the Skilled Migrant Category resident visa took effect last month.
Read more here.
Hot Desk in Tāmaki Makaurau (Belong Aotearoa)
Craving a change of scene and some human connection with people who are making a difference in Aotearoa? Belong Aotearoa’s Mount Albert hotdesks are just what you need!
For only $26/day + GST, enjoy a comfortable workspace with access to meeting rooms, a boardroom, commercial printer/scanner, and kitchen facilities.
Interested? Click here.
Events
New Zealand Immigration invites you to a webinar about the recent changes to the Skilled Migrant Category which took effect on 24 August 2026
This free webinar covers recent skilled residence pathway changes and a Q&A session. It is restricted to individuals currently in New Zealand and does not provide personal immigration advice.
When: Tuesday 22 September 2026, from 12pm to 12.45pm.
Where: Online on Zoom.
Register here.
Kahika Youth Employment program
Kahika is a free 10-day employment programme that helps youth aged 16-24 from ethnic, migrant, and refugee backgrounds to build skills, confidence, and employer connections.
When: Monday 28 September – Friday 9 October 2026. Term 3 School Holidays.
Sessions will run daily from Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
Where: Wesley Community Centre, Mount Roskill.
Mixit NZ Freedom art exhibition
Mixit NZ invites you to this open art exhibition, showcasing artwork created by young people exploring the meaning of freedom.
When: Saturday 26 September 2026, from 3pm to 4.30pm.
Where: Opanuku Studio, Corban Estate Art Centre.
RSVP by 15 September at info@mixit.co.nz / 021 255 7937.
Intergenerational Climate Storytelling Workshop & Performance Series
A free intergenerational storytelling workshop and performance series bringing together youth and older adults to craft and share personal stories themed around the climate crisis.
When: Saturday 12 September 2026, from 10am to 6pm.
Where: Opanuku Studio, Corban Estate Art Centre.
How to Apply: Send an email directly to Tahi Mapp-Borren at tahimappborren@gmail.com or visit Golden Festival.
Digital Safety for Ageing Takatapui and Rainbow+ People
One-off, in-person Rainbow+ Digital Safety workshops. Learn about romance scams, dating apps, online harassment, and using tech to build Rainbow communities. No prior knowledge needed. All workshops are free.
When:
Friday 11 September 2026, from 1pm to 4pm at Te Tuhi Gallery.
Saturday 12 September 2026, from 1pm to 4pm, at Nathan Homestead.
Register here.
CV & Cover Letter Writing Free Job Search Workshops
Join Migrant Action Trust for a series of interactive and practical free workshops designed to help you navigate job hunting.
When: Friday 11 September 2026, from 10am to 12pm.
Where: Rakiraki Room, Wesley Community Centre.
Learn more here.
Job Interview Prep Free Job Search Workshops
Join Migrant Action Trust for a series of interactive and practical free workshops designed to help you navigate job hunting.
When: Friday 25 September 2026, from 10am to 12pm.
Where: Rakiraki Room, Wesley Community Centre.
Learn more here.
Personal Branding & Networking Free Job Search Workshops
Join Migrant Action Trust for a series of interactive and practical free workshops designed to help you navigate job hunting.
When: Friday 2 October 2026, from 10am to 12pm.
Where: Rakiraki Room, Wesley Community Centre.
Learn more here.
Media
Migrant entrepreneurs aren’t staying in NZ – the new investor visa won’t replace them
Attracting entrepreneurs to New Zealand sounds like a good idea. The country needs innovation, economic growth, greater productivity and more jobs.
Read more here.
Kiwifruit industry modern slavery issue offers an easy election jab
New Zealand First Minister Shane Jones says there are 'medieval slave practices' in the kiwifruit industry.
Read more here.
Nearly 25% of asylum claims in INZ backlog 'manifestly unfounded', officials estimate
The estimate comes as New Zealand’s asylum system deals with the double whammy of a sharp increase in claims.
Read more here.
Albanese vows refugee intake won’t be slashed, shutting down plans of Coalition-level cut
Prime minister intervenes amid anger at news Tony Burke was planning to cut intake of 20,000 arrivals by a third.
Read more here.
MP Paulo Garcia valedictory: 'Let hateful words be the undoing of those who wield them'
'In one of two farewell speeches from retiring MPs this week, two-term National Party MP Paulo Garcia, brought both thanks and also a gentle admonition to his colleagues.
Read more here.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown breached code over ‘Muslim terrorist’ remark, commissioner finds
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown apologised and met with the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand after he called an RNZ staffer a "Muslim terrorist".
Read more here.
ACT to introduce physical presence requirements for permanent residents if elected
The party's immigration spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar said it would "bring balance" to the system, and ensure visa holders have a "genuine commitment to our country".
Read more here.
Do you have news you would like to share in our fortnightly Sector Update? Simply email your update to: sectorupdates@belong.org.nz.
Ngā mihi,
Belong Aotearoa Tea
