Migrant and Refugee health

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.

Working closely with local migrant groups and organisations

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:

• Community Language and Information Group (CLING).
• Interagency Network For Refugees and Migrants (INFoRM); and
• Health and Wellbeing Network (a subgroup of INFoRM).

Community and Public Health also networks with local organisations on refugee and migrant issues including:

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

Free health screening and first doctor’s visit

All refugees are entitled to a free health screening check for each family member. This includes asylum seekers applicants, Family reunification migrants and New Zealand quota system refugees.

Community and Public Health facilitates free health screening services for Family reunification migrants and asylum seekers applicants in Canterbury only. Staff will organise a GP practice and free first doctor’s visit for each family member with a Community Services Card. Interpreters will be provided where needed.

Contact the Community and Public Health Communicable Disease Nurse on 03 364 1777 to find out what services are available or to organise a doctor’s visit.

Documents

• Building cultural inclusion in active recreation and sport: Insights from Muslim women in active recreation and sport (Sport NZ 2020).
• 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).
• New to Christchurch? Useful information for migrants and newcomers (CCC) – available in Arabic, Chinese, English, Hindi, Korean, and Spanish.
• Best Practice Guidelines: Engaging with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities in Times of Disaster (CCC 2012).
• 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
• Healthy Family Food
• Culture no Excuse for Abuse (It’s Not Ok). Available in Arabic, Farsi, Korean and Traditional Chinese.

Links

• Guide to eligibility for publicly funded health services (Ministry of Health)
• Refugee Health (Ministry of Health)
• Asian and Migrant Health (Ministry of Health)
• Living in New Zealand (Immigration New Zealand)
• Migrant Connect from Citizen Advice Bureau
• Mental Health Foundation
• Health and Disability Advocacy Service NZ

The Newcomers Guide to Christchurch and Canterbury

This Facebook page is for recent arrivals to the Canterbury region.

It’s designed to share what’s happening, provide key information on living here, and act as a place for those new to Canterbury to connect and share ideas.

Contact Christina Lewis for more information (03 378 6823).