Supporting migrant and refugee health in Canterbury

Canterbury is home to a growing number of people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Everyone who makes the decision to start life in a new country faces challenges. There are many providers available to support and help refugees and migrants when they arrive in Christchurch.

People from refugee backgrounds, migrants and their families coming to New Zealand face a range of health challenges. These can include physical, mental and social challenges.

Help is readily available from various providers including interpreting services when necessary.

• Find out about local services available to help those who smoke to quit. You can also call Quitline (0800 778 778) or talk to your doctor.

Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health works with local migrant and refugee groups alongside organisations and health services to protect the health of the community.

Staff attend community meetings including the Community Languages and Information Network Group (CLING).

Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health also networks with local organisations on refugee and migrant issues including:

• Pegasus Health;
• Purapura Whetu Trust;
• Christchurch Resettlement Services (CRS);
• Canterbury Refugee Council;
• Hagley Community College;
• Christchurch City Council; and
• Health and Disability Advocacy Service (part of the Health and Disability Commission).

Documents

• Refugee Health Care: A Handbook for Health and Social Care Providers (Health NZ 2024).
• Asian Health in Aotearoa: Findings from the New Zealand Health Survey 2002-2021 (The Asian Network 2024).
• Unlocking Language Barriers | Te Whakamahea Tauārai Reo (Ministry for Ethnic Communities 2023).
• Former Refugees, Recent Migrants and Ethnic Communities Employment Action Plan (Ministry for Ethnic Communities 2022).
• Strategy 2022-2025: A pathway to an Aotearoa where ethnic communities feel at home (Ministry for Ethnic Communities 2022).
• East Asian, South Asian, Chinese and Indian Students in Aotearoa: A Youth’19 Report (University of Auckland 2021).
• A fair go for refugees: Resettlement in Aotearoa and Global Trends (Royal Society Te Apārangi 2021).

• Drivers of migrant New Zealanders’ experiences of racism (Human Rights Commission 2021).
• Communicating with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities during disaster: Observations and recommendations from New Zealand’s COVID-19 response (Community Languages Information Network Group 2020).
• Building cultural inclusion in active recreation and sport: Insights from Muslim women in active recreation and sport (Sport NZ 2020).
• Cross-Cultural Resource for Health Practitioners (eCALD).
• Contact list for the Refugee and Migrant Service Sector in Canterbury (Canterbury Resettlement Services).
• Your rights when using a health or disability service in NZ and how to make a complaint – available in many languages (Health and Disability Commissioner).
• New Zealand Healthcare System – available in many languages (HealthInfo).

Downloads

Download or order resources from the Community Health Information Centre.

• Caring for Teeth.

Links

• Guide to eligibility for publicly funded health services (Health New Zealand).
• InCommon initiative.
• Cross Cultural Resources for health professionals (eCALD NZ).
• Living in New Zealand (Immigration New Zealand).
• Migrant Connect from Citizen Advice Bureau.
• Rainbow Path – connecting LGBTQIA+ Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Aotearoa NZ.
• Adhikaar Aotearoa – supporting LGBTQIA+ people of colour in New Zealand, particularly South Asians.
• Mental Health Foundation.
• Health and Disability Advocacy Service NZ.