Belong Aotearoa Sector Update 8 October 2026
Kia ora e te whānau,
We have now officially entered the full-on election campaign period. With Parliament wrapped up, I've been filling my downtime with electorate debates and the bigger showdowns between party leaders and potential kingmakers. The Mt Albert debate, in the electorate where Belong Aotearoa is based, was a lively one, and Tuesday's TV1 debate between Hipkins and Luxon was well worth a watch. My dad is visiting from Canada at the moment, so I've become an accidental civics teacher, explaining who is who, who represents what, and why each side is so certain the other is a threat to Aotearoa's future. Meanwhile, as policies trickle out, other parties are quick to respond, which makes keeping track of it all a challenge.
If you want to learn more, there are several policy trackers available, including The Conversation's election policy tracker and the Policy Navigator, as well as others like the NZ Politics Promise Tracker, though we can't vouch for the neutrality of any of them.
When decision-makers and politicians connect with Belong Aotearoa, the conversation is often about immigration policy. It is critical, but it is only one slice of what shapes life in Aotearoa for migrants and former refugees. Housing, schools, jobs, cost of living, social cohesion, online harm, pay equity and fairness at work, and recognition of qualifications all matter too, among many other things, and running beneath many of them is a pervasive undercurrent of racism and discrimination. Just as important is how government is structured to respond, including whether a separate Ethnic Communities ministry is the best way to support our increasingly diverse population. So, let's keep challenging racism and divisive rhetoric in our policies and politics, pay attention to who speaks up against it, and push for systems that work for everyone.
And with 7 November fast approaching, please make sure you're enrolled, get out and vote, and encourage the young people around you to enrol and vote too. Democracy is only as strong as the people who take part, so let's encourage as much participation as possible.
Belong’s Annual Public Meeting: Let’s connect, reflect and celebrate together.
Speaking of participation, there's plenty going on that we'd love you to be part of:
AUT wellbeing study: The survey closes very soon. If you are of migrant or refugee background and haven't yet completed it, please add your voice. Your insights will be important in an election year, and we hope to use the results in our engagement with whoever forms the government after 7 November.
Storytelling, communication and influencing workshop: On Friday 20 November, well-known journalist Jehan Casinader will lead this Refugee Alliance event, which is open to anyone focused on migrant and refugee-background communities. Jehan's talks usually come at a cost, but we have made this one free. Numbers are limited, so please register soon.
Belong’s Annual Public Meeting: Put Thursday 29 October, from 2pm to 4pm, in your diary for Building Aotearoa Together: From Wellbeing to Belonging at the Fickling Convention Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau. We'll look at the year that has been and the year ahead and hear from AUT researchers on preliminary findings from our collective wellbeing study for migrant and refugee-background communities. This is shared evidence, built by many voices, and after 7 November we will draw on it to work with the government that forms on what matters most. And we would love your reflections on what these findings mean for your communities. Plus, there will be kai and prizes! 😊 Register now.
Mauri ora,
Angela Wilton
Chief Executive Officer, Belong Aotearoa
In Case You Missed It
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 hot desks 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
School Safety & NCEA pathways workshops by Migrant Action Trust
This free workshop for migrant parents covers student safety and navigating NCEA qualifications to help support your child at school.
When: Friday 9 October 2026, from 10am to 1pm.
Where: Waikowhai Room, Fickling Convention Centre, Three Kings.
Learn more, register here.
Can We Call Aotearoa Home?, a cross-party panel discussion by Shakti
This public panel event invites everyone to hear from political representatives discussing immigration policy, social cohesion, and the future of ethnic communities in New Zealand.
When: Saturday 17 October 2026, from 2pm to 4pm.
Where: Te Manawa, Westgate.
Learn more here.
Free Digital Skills and AI Workshop Series, run by Women Entrepreneurship Centre
This hands-on programme will help you turn technology into a practical advantage for your business, career and everyday life.
When: Every Saturday for eight weeks. Starting on Saturday 17 October 2026, from 10am to 12.30pm.
Where: Rakiraki Room, Wesley Community Centre.
Register here.
Money Management Made Easy, financial management workshops
A personal and family financial management free workshops, brought to you by the Citizens Advice Bureau and Highland Park and Anchorage Park Community Houses. Limited spaces available.
When: Saturdays from 11am to 1pm.
17 October: Identify financial info, tax, and debt structure.
24 October: Insurance, retirement, shares, and KiwiSaver.
31 October: Budgeting and managing cash flow.
Where: Highland Park Community House.
Contact: (09) 534 5584, info@hpapcommunityhouses.org.nz
Overview of the Parent Resident Visa and recent changes
Join NZ Immigration on a webinar for communities wanting to know more about the criteria for the Parent Resident Visa and the recent change to how expressions of interest (EOI) are chosen.
When: Tuesday 20 October 2026, from 12pm to 1pm.
Where: Free Online on Zoom.
Register here. (Please note: This is an information-only session. No personal immigration advice will be given)
Free Open Workshop on Te Tiriti by Migrant Action Trust
Migrant Action Trust, in partnership with the Tangata Tiriti - Treaty People, will be holding a free Te Tiriti o Waitangi Workshop for everyone.
When: Wednesday 21 October 2026, from 9.30am to 4.30pm. (Please arrive at 9.15am to start on time).
Where: Tarapunga Room, Wesley Community Centre, Mount Roskill.
Learn more, register here.
Free Workshop: Employment Rights for Newcomers & Jobseekers by Migrant Action Trust
This workshop is designed to help newcomers and jobseekers understand their employment rights and navigate the world of work with confidence.
When: Thursday 22 October 2026, from 10am to 12.30pm.
Where: Glass Room, Epsom Library.
Learn more, register here.
Nesemalama-Whakamana: Understanding Neurodiversity and Disability through Māori and Pasifika Experiences
Join researcher and educator Sophia Sagapolutele-To'afa as she shares powerful insights on navigating support systems for Māori and Pasifika whānau. Discover how we can better champion neurodivergent youth by honoring cultural identity and partnering with families.
When: Tuesday 20 October 2026, from 7pm to 8pm.
Where: Online event. (Link provided upon registration).
Register here.
Your Pay, Your Tax, Your KiwiSaver Workshop
This free online community workshop run by Inland Revenue helps you understand New Zealand tax basics, pay deductions, and KiwiSaver.
When: Thursday 29 October 2026, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.
Where: Online by Zoom.
Learn more, register here.
The Key to Influence Workshop
The Refugee Alliance is hosting an exclusive workshop for its members led by award-winning journalist Jehan Casinader on how to lead courageous conversations and build influence.
When: Friday 20 November 2026, from 9am to 4.30pm.
Where: Sorento in the Park, Royal Oak.
Register here.
Media
Why Takanini is key for Indian representation in Parliament
The result of the election battle for Takanini in South Auckland has the potential to be something of a turning point for Indian political representation in New Zealand.
Read more here.
Health NZ chases $70m in unpaid health bills from tourists and migrants
Health New Zealand says it's likely at least a quarter of that debt will not be recoverable, as it writes a similar amount off each year.
Read more here.
‘Sad to see it’s gone’: The lost Chinese market gardens that once fed Auckland
More than a century ago, this part of central Auckland was home to market gardens cultivated by Chinese migrants whose labour helped feed the city and became part of Auckland's largely overlooked urban history.
Read more here.
A lot more activity' - significant rise in people trafficking investigations
The Government has pointed to a lack of resources and blurred roles hampering its battle against human trafficking.
Read more here.
Parent Resident Visa woes: How parent visa changes will put most applicants in a queue
With over 12,000 people stuck in the Parent Resident Visa pool, the system is shifting from a luck-based draw to a queue, while Canterbury families share the emotional and financial toll of the long wait.
Read more here.
Family ran for freedom then found a new home in a place they had never heard of
After fleeing communist Bulgaria in 1950, a family embarked on a perilous journey to freedom that eventually led them to build a new life in New Zealand.
Read more here.
Taylor’s hardline immigration plan drags Australian politics further to the right – and it’s all upside for One Nation
With Angus Taylor’s hardline immigration policy unveiled on Tuesday, voters have a new measure of Pauline Hanson’s success in dragging politics further to the right.
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
