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).
One-stop shop for newcomers to the Ashburton District
Ashburton District Council media release: 15th May 2024
Newcomers to the Ashburton District can now find all the essential information they need in a new online Welcoming Guide.
Council Democracy and Engagement Group Manager Toni Durham said the guide was for people moving to the district from other parts of New Zealand or from overseas.
“Being digital, the guide can be updated regularly and it will also be available in different languages.
“Newcomers will be able to find out about health, education, driver’s licences, employment, sports, things to do and services that are available. It’s pretty much a one-stop shop for information.”
Mrs Durham said the Welcoming Guide could also point people to other helpful sites, like the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and their community directory, and the Hakatere Multicultural Council, which looks after the Newcomers Network, the Migrant Centre and Ethnic Leaders forum. The development of the guide was led by the staff involved in the Welcoming Communities programme.
- Find out more about the Welcoming Guide for Newcomers to the Ashburton District, including how to download a copy.
Waitaha Canterbury Refugee Health Service launched
Pegasus Health recently launched its Refugee Health Service. This is a confidential and FREE health service helping former refugees access healthcare in Christchurch and Ashburton.
General Manager Patient and Provider Services at Pegasus Health Lisa Brennan says the service has a community-based approach.
“At Pegasus we aim to reduce inequity and remove barriers by having competent and well-funded wrap-around services. The service is based on the feedback we received from the former refugee communities and those who support them in health and social services.”
The Refugee Health Service marks an important step in supporting former refugees in their journey here in Aotearoa.
Learn to ride with Bike Bridge
Bike Bridge is a FREE programme for former refugee and migrant women to learn to ride a bicycle – based at Addington School | Te Kura Taumatua.
The sessions are fun and you can also meet new people. Children welcome!
Bikes and helmets provided. No special clothes are required to participate.
This programme usually runs during the spring and summer months (Daylight Saving time).
Participants will also have the opportunity to get a free or heavily discounted bicycle – as well as a lock and helmet.
The project welcomes female volunteers.
Contact Coordinator Lois Hill for more information (bikebridge[at]radbikes.co.nz).
Bike Bridge is supported by Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health.
Documents
- 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).
- Refugee Health Care: A Handbook for Health Professionals (Ministry of Health 2012).
- 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.
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.
For infectious disease enquiries, contact:
Communicable Disease Nurse
Ph: +64 3 364 1777
For additional information, contact:
CANTERBURY
Waitaha Canterbury Refugee Health Service (Pegasus Health)
Ph: 0800 757 135
Canterbury Refugee Resettlement and Resource Centre
Ph: +64 3 377 2538
Christchurch Resettlement Services
Ph: +64 3 335 0311
Citizens Advice Bureau – Migrant Connect and Language Connect
Ph: 0800 FOR CAB (0800 367 222)
SOUTH CANTERBURY
Multicultural Aoraki
Ph: +64 3 687 7332
Wellbeing guides in migrant languages
Yellow Brick Road have published a series of downloadable wellbeing guides in English, Chinese, Samoan, Hindi and Tagalog. The resources cover a range of topics and will help you learn how to manage anxiety, boost your mental health and lower your stress levels.
Yellow Brick Road provides services for families of people experiencing mental illness and was previously known as Supporting Families in Mental Illness.