ISSUE INSIDE 57 7 MĀORI 2014 Christchurch LINKZ · Photographers/Images: Michelle Sullivan Julian Varez Charles Simcox Ivor Earp-Jones ... FAMILY 16 41 35 39 Ara Pounamu – The

LINKZM A K I N G YO U R WAY I N N E W Z E A L A N D

7 REGIONAL FEATURE Christchurch

INSIDE

57ISSUE

2014

46 LEISURE

Beautiful country

Family dream becomes reality

12

39 MĀORIThe greenstone trails

LINKZ ISSUE 57 20142 www.ssnz.govt.nz

LINKZ is published quarterly by:Immigration New Zealand,Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.PO Box 3705Wellington 6140New Zealand [email protected]

Editor: Chris Clarke/ Paul GreenDesign: Abi Holt

Contributors: The Ministry of Primary Industries Prof. Rawiri Taonui www.christchurchmums.com Department of Conservation Christchurch City Council Immigration Advisers Authority

Photographers/Images: Michelle Sullivan Julian Varez Charles Simcox www.open2view.co.nz Ivor Earp-Jones

Disclaimer

Immigration New Zealand is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, a New Zealand Government department.

The information included in this publication was current at the time of print. The Ministry cannot guarantee its accuracy. Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Ministry and may not accurately reflect the Ministry’s policies. Inclusion of contact information for external agencies in no way implies an endorsement of that service or agency by the Ministry.

ISSN 1174-4162 (PRINT)

ISSN 2324-3848 (ONLINE)

Copyright

©Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment 2014

Text may be reproduced without permission but acknowledgement of source is required.

CONTENTS

LINKZ ISSUE 57 2014

Christchurch

12

Did you know? LINKZ is FREE for 2 years for new migrants to New Zealand

7

6 Welcome from the Mayor

7 World's newest city

9 Christchurch at a glance

11 Rohe: Canterbury culture and history

12 Family dream becomes reality

15 Migrants bring valuable skills

16 Building a new city

19 Newcomers boost local expertise

20 Family life returns

24 A job well done

25 Adventure for the family

45 Christchurch for beginners

REGIONAL

4 Broadcast

mailto:settlementinformation%40%20dol.govt.nz?subject=

mailto:settlementinformation%40%20dol.govt.nz?subject=

3www.immigration.govt.nz LINKZ ISSUE 57 2014

41 Fishing for fun and food

46 Beautiful country needs some help.

45 Christchurch for beginners

LEISURE

To unsubscribe or to subscribe or ask a question, email [email protected]

FAMILY

16

41

35

39 Ara Pounamu – The Greenstone trails

44 Te Reo Māori – Talking about work

29 A place to stay

31 Keep warm and dry

33 Working in Aged Care

35 Learn while you work

MĀORI

37 Distance study an option

CONSUMER RIGHTS

EMPLOYMENT

EDUCATION

mailto:settlementinformation%40dol.govt.nz?subject=

LINKZ ISSUE 57 20144

B R O A D C A S T

www.ssnz.govt.nz

WELCOME TO NEW ZEALANDHello to our regular readers, and to all new subscribers and recent arrivals, welcome.

As the General Manager of the Settlement, Protection and Attraction Division within Immigration New Zealand, my role is to ensure you are feeling welcome here and, have the right information to help you settle well and make a contribution to our country.

This quarterly magazine is one way we work to provide you with the information you may need. We value the skills and knowledge you bring and want to ensure you can use your talents to grow our existing companies – or to invest in or start your own.

We have a great country, here on the edge of the world. New Zealand is a fantastic place to live, with an engaging climate, landscape and culture, and real opportunities to be what you want to be.

We also value your feedback. If there are things we can do better to help you settle quickly, please take the time to let us know.

Email us: [email protected]

Many thanks and best wishes for your future here.

Steve McGill

General Manager, Settlement, Protection and Attraction DivisionImmigration New Zealand

BUSINESS VISA AIMED AT ENTREPRENEURIAL MIGRANTS A new visa has been set up to encourage migrants to start high-quality businesses and create new jobs.

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse said the Entrepreneur Work Visa, which requires a minimum $100,000 in capital, uses a new points-based system and replaces the Long-Term Business Visa. It gives extra points for expanding or starting businesses outside the Auckland region.

INSTANT KIWI WINS WITH HUMOURA new short book, Instant Kiwi – New Zealand in a nutshell, provides an informa-tive and light-hearted introduction to some of the odd bits many new migrants notice in their first few months in New Zealand

Written by experienced travel-writer and former Canadian Rosemary Hepozden, it dips into a remarkable range of quotable facts, slang, history and local knowl-edge in just over 120 pages, from who and where we are, to how many things are banned on Trade Me.

To find out more contact www.newhollandpublishers.co.nz

5www.immigration.govt.nz LINKZ ISSUE 57 2014Did you know? LINKZ is FREE for 2 years for new migrants to New Zealand

NEW MIGRANT GUIDE TO LICENSED IMMIGRATION ADVISERS OUT NOWA new guide to licensed immigration advisers has just been released.

It is illegal to give New Zealand immigration advice unless you are licensed by the Immigration Advisers Authority, under the Immigraion Advisers Act.

Your Guide to Licensed Immigration Advisers explains this further, the benefits of using licensed advisers - and the risks of accepting illegal advice.

Translated copies of the guide will be available in Simplified Chinese, Korean, Samoan and Tongan.

To order hardcopies of the guide, email [email protected] or call 0508 422 422. Remember to include how many copies of the Guide you need and in which language

INFLUENZA – DON’T GET IT, DON’T GIVE ITMany New Zealand residents qualify for free immu-nisation against influenza. Influenza can be severe, even occasionally deadly – it’s more than a “bad cold”.

Influenza vaccinations are free from a doctor or nurse until the end of July if you are in one of these groups:

• People aged 65 and over

• Anyone under 65 years of age (including chil-dren) with long-term health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease (including asthma), kidney disease and most cancers

• Pregnant women

• Children aged from six months and up to five years of age who have been hospitalised for respiratory illness or have a history of significant respiratory illness.

For advice about influenza immunisation visit www.fightflu.co.nz

TE UPOKO O TE IKA A MAUI – INTERACTIVE EXHIBITIONWellington newcomers and locals alike will enjoy the unusual stories of Wellington being high-lighted at this event, at the Museum of Wellington City & Sea, on Queens Wharf, Wellington from 11 June to early October.

Find out about the extraordinary hunting feats of Neville "Stag" Spooner, the giant statue of the Virgin Mary on the Kapiti Coast, and much more, through the smell, touch, sight and sound of the many inter-activities.

And for two weeks from 1 July you can watch as Sheyne and artist students paint a giant depic-tion of Māui and the head of the fish straight on to the gallery floor and wall.

REGION - CHRISTCHURCH SHARING STORIES AND EXPERIENCES

www.ssnz.govt.nzLINKZ ISSUE 57 20146

WELCOME

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to your new life in Christchurch. Our city is a very friendly place, even more so because our community came together after the earthquakes. We learned how important it was to value and take care of each other, and to take the time to enjoy ourselves.

Canterbury is a great place to start your life in New Zealand. The rebuild after the earthquakes has created an atmosphere of optimism, energy and momentum. Today, Christchurch is a city of many opportunities and great diversity, full of colour and vibrancy. What Lonely Planet and the New York Times love about Christchurch is the innovative, and creative use of space that we see everywhere.

I hope the information in LINKZ magazine will help you and your family feel welcome in your new home.

Nau mai, haere mai, welcome, welcome, welcome.

Lianne Dalziel, Mayor of Christchurch

CHRISTCHURCH


THE WORLD’S NEWEST CITYA BOOMING ECONOMY THAT’S REBUILDING

The Container mall, built as a substitute for the once closed central business district, is now an attraction in its own right.



Christchurch, New Zealand’s second–largest city is undergoing a $40 billion rebuild after a series of major earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. The city is sited half way down the South Island's east coast, with the Pacific Ocean to the east, and to the west the fertile Canterbury plains, stretching to the feet of the Southern Alps.

Since the earthquakes, Christchurch has developed a reputation for the dynamic and innovative culture that has emerged as people find ever more creative ways to build the world’s newest city.

The rebuilding of Christchurch is gathering momentum as the Government, the council and private sector spend $40 million a week repairing infrastructure and rebuilding facilities. This intensive activity has created a huge demand for skilled workers as engineering and construction have overtaken manufacturing as the city’s main industries.

The surge in building means one in eight workers, or 32,500 people, are now in construction, which is still growing strongly. More than 15,000 new businesses have registered in the city since the first major earth-quake in September 2010, and many are seeking staff to help the rebuild. Christchurch now has one of the lowest unemployment rates in New Zealand at 4.7 per cent, with house prices averaging $381,000 in 2013.

Although the earthquakes did extensive damage in and around Christchurch and nearby towns, the region’s main economic activities recovered rapidly and continue to grow. Traditional products such as dairy, meat, sheep and grain remain major earners, with Canterbury now having the largest average dairy herd size (771 cows) in New Zealand. With an international airport and two seaports at Lyttelton and Timaru, the city is well served with links to overseas markets.

Heading for an early morning surf near New Brighton Pier


International visitor numbers to Christchurch slumped after the earthquakes but the tourism sector has started recovering. There has been especially strong growth in visitors from China, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong, bringing the annual arrival figures to just under 400,000 people.

The region is also a hub of medium to high technology manufacturing businesses. To foster innovation, they link with New Zealand’s Crown Research Institutes and several regional tertiary education facilities such as Lincoln University, the University of Canterbury and the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology.

CULTURE, EVENTS AND INNOVATIONChristchurch has all the benefits of a friendly, connected village and all the advantages of big city life: a vibrant culture, diverse business opportunities, the museum and botanical gardens, 740 neighbourhood parks, a wide

CHRISTCHURCH AT A GLANCE

Median house price

$381,000

Weekly spend on city rebuild

Population(2013 census)

$40,000,000$

341,469

Climate – mild, with four distinct seasons

OUR CITYNew to Christchurch? Visit our tips for migrants page: www.ccc.govt.nz/homeliving/information-formigrants/index.aspx

Or for more information about Christchurch go to www.christchurch.org.nz, www.cdc.org.nz and www.cecc.org.nz

WHAT’S ONChristchurch is renowned for its exciting and varied events calendar. From the SCIRT World Busker’s Festival, to TV2 KidsFest to the packed Garden City SummerTimes programme, there is something new on almost every week to suit the whole family. To find out more about Christchurch events go to bethere.co.nz



GATEWAY TO A REGION OF BREATH-TAKING BEAUTY AND ADVENTUREChristchurch is also famous as the gateway to an extraordinary range of outdoor adven-tures. Less than two hours away is Akaroa, a small picturesque French settlement on the Banks Peninsula where people swim with the dolphins. North in Kaikoura there is whale watching and inland at Hanmer Springs are the region’s thermal pools and outdoor adventure activities. Less than two hours west is skiing and snowboarding in the Southern Alps, and the high country, home of the famous merino sheep. From there it is not far to Queenstown, Milford Sound and some of New Zealand’s top tourist destinations.

With so much beauty on its doorstep, it is no surprise that the city is proud of its environmen-tal attitude. The local government has passed clean air policies and introduced a three-bin roadside collection for organic, recycled and household waste.Christchurch City Council is housed in New Zealand’s first renovated build-ing to gain a 6 Green Star rating from the NZ Green Building Council, and has become the nation’s greenest building.

As the new city rises from the rubble with its opportunities, dynamic growth and excit-ing events and cultural life, more and more people are being attracted to live and settle in Christchurch.

To find out more about Christchurch and Can-terbury attractions, economics, living and business environments go to: www.christchurch.org.nz www.cdc.org.nz www.cecc.org.nz

choice of schools and a good health system. There are more than 40 golf courses in Canterbury from casual country courses to international golf resorts.

While the city is abuzz with activity and opportuni-ties, most people visit Christchurch for its culture and events. After the earthquakes, the people of Christchurch unleashed a flood of creative energy and projects. Among the first attractions to get back on track were the herit-age trams around the city centre and Avon River, and New Regent St’s quirky, quaint shops. Bringing life back to the city centre, emerging designers, professionals and community labour put together the Pallet Pavilion made from 3000 recycled blue pallets, where movies, live music and events are staged.

Perhaps the most intriguing attraction is the world famous Re:START shopping mall, where locals and tourists stroll among brightly decorated one- and two-storey contain-ers housing boutiques, restaurants, book shops, banks and clothing and shoe stores.

Public art has appeared in numerous places including the central city, the port of Lyttelton and the seaside suburb of Sumner. New village squares have been designed for suburban centres and in the Rise project, world-renowned street artists have painted murals on large walls left bare by demolitions.

Christchurch people exercised their imaginations in the award-winning Share an Idea campaign shortly after the earthquakes. The community was asked for ideas on how to rebuild their city. They came up with 106,000 ideas which helped shape the new plan. Share an idea won the 2011 Co-creation Award for the most original and successful co-creation initiatives, the first time the award has gone outside Europe.

In 2013, the Rockefeller Foundation named Christchurch as one of its 100 Resilient Cities. The city is now part of a global network of urban areas working on fostering resilience so they can prepare for, withstand and bounce back from shocks and stresses more effectively.▪

When conditions are right locals can parapont off their roofs in RedCliffe

LINKZ ISSUE 57 2014 11

UNDERSTANDING MĀORI TIKANGA AND TE REO MĀORI

Māori mythology says the sweeping vista of the Canterbury Plains was formed after a great canoe, Te Waka o Aoraki foundered on a reef. When the upturned keel petrified as Te Tiritiri o te Moana (Southern Alps), mystical guardians swept across the land carving the hills of Horomaka (Banks Peninsula), scouring out the Akaroa and Whangaraupō (Lyttleton) harbours and raking rock and stone down from the mountains to create the Canterbury Plains.

ŌTAUTAHI (CHRISTCHURCH)Ōtautahi was a vast wetland in pre-European times extending between Kaiapoi and Te Waihora (Lake Elles-mere). With the Ōtākaro and Ōpāwaho (Avon and Heath-cote Rivers) providing rich food sources and living and defensive positions, Ōtautahi stood as a central South Island nexus of trade routes running north and south along the eastern seaboard and as a staging area for crossing mountain passes to the West Coast to retrieve pounamu (greenstone).

EARLY TRIBESThe Hāwea and Rapuwai were the earliest occupants of the region. They were followed by the Waitaha tribe, who originated from the Bay of Plenty and East Coast of the North Island. Tradition says their most famous ancestor, Rākaihautū, walked through the middle of the South Island from Nelson to Bluff then north along the eastern coast to Akaroa Harbour digging large holes which filled with snow melt forming the great lakes of the South Island.

TRIBAL ROHE

BY PROF. RAWIRI TAONUI

The Canterbury Plains were named after the tribe he founded, Ngā Pākihi Whakatekateka o Waitaha (the Seedbed of Waitaha). The Waitaha had major settle-ments along the Avon River, and at Akaroa and Pegasus Bay. The Waitaha were followed by Ngāti Māmoe who dominated the earlier inhabitants through conquest and intermarriage, under the leadership of a chief called Tū-te-waimate.

NGĀI TAHUNgāi Tahu share common ancestry with the North Island tribes of Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Kahungunu. From bases at Hātaitai and Miramar in the Wellington region, their subtribes of Ngāti Kurī and Ngāi Tūāhuriri expanded into the South Island gradually intermarrying with and subsuming both the Ngāti Māmoe and Waitaha peoples.

The children and descendants of the Ngāi Tahu ancestor Tūāhuriri took possession of Canterbury with each chief controlling a different area. Tūrākautahi built Kaiapoi Pā , Ruahikihiki took Taumutu, Makō had Wairewa and Te Rakiwhakaputa acquired Whakaraupō. Intermittent conflicts continued with the Ngāti Māmoe and Waitaha until unifying marriages between leading families in the 18th century.

POST-EUROPEAN HISTORYBetween 1820 and 1835, the Canterbury tribes were dev-astated by epidemics and inter-tribal fighting exacerbated by the introduction of the musket. Ngāi Tahu also lost the Canterbury Plains in a forced “sale” to the govern-ment. The tribe received a $170 million settlement in 1997.

The governing entity Te Rūnanganui o Ngāi Tahu has grown this sum to more than $700 million today. The rūnanga and its constituent sub-tribes now play a sig-nificant role in the economic, political, cultural and social life of Christchurch, including playing a central role in post-earthquake relief efforts since 2010.

REGIONAL CULTURE AND HISTORY: CANTERBURY

Ngai Tahu leaders finally achieve a settlement confirming their ownership of pounamu, and compensation for historical breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi. [Photo: Charles Simcox]



REALITYFAMILY DREAM BECOMES

If you want more time for the family, then maybe New Zealand is the place for you.

“

”

PLAY VIDEO


Just a couple of years ago in Japan, such a lifestyle seemed an impossible dream. Working long hours, Ken would arrive home at night after his children had gone to sleep.

In Japan, the first priority is work, Ken says.“The family doesn't come first. You basically sacrifice yourself for the company or for your colleagues. That's the working culture there.”

In Christchurch, the work-life balance is good, he says. People work hard but employers respect the fact that everyone has a private life. Ken finds the working style more efficient too, with less time taken up by meetings.

Ken, who is from Tokyo, is a senior software test analyst. His background includes six years of study in the United States. He met Jenny, who is from Malaysia, at work in Japan. After they married, they lived in Malaysia for two years then Japan for nine years.The long working hours and lack of family time led them to look for opportuni-ties overseas.

They considered Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Ken visited Perth but decided it was not quite where they wanted to live.

In August 2011, the family visited Christchurch. When a trip to the scenic coast of Kaikoura was cancelled because of a snow storm, Ken and Jenny found they had more time to look at what Christchurch had to offer. Through contacts from Jenny’s church, they met local families and were invited into their homes.“We could see how they lived, what the lifestyle was like,” Ken says. That was what made us decide to come here.

“We liked the size of Christchurch.” It was big enough to have the amenities the family wanted but it did not feel crowded. The beautiful countryside was just 30 minutes’ drive away.

It helped that New Zealand was similar to Japan geo-graphically, Jenny says. “It has mountains, which we love. The size is about the same as Japan. It even has earthquakes like Japan.”

Back in Japan, the couple contacted an immigration agent and applied for a residents’ visa under the Skilled Migrant Category.It took nearly a year to get the visa, then Ken resigned from his job to concentrate on the move. “I was surprised,” Jenny says. “But I understood and supported his decision.” Ken felt he could not devote himself to work and the family move at the same time.

The couple expected that Ken would soon find a job in New Zealand. He applied for positions and sent his CV to a lot of companies, without success. “That was the lowest point of the whole immigration process,” Ken says.

They began to have doubts about the move.

However, trying to conserve their savings and live simply had its positive side, Jenny says. They had a lot of time together. Without a job offer or any definite plans for their life in New Zealand, they decided to “just go for it”.

They arrived in January 2013 expecting the Christchurch summer to be hot but found it cold, especially at night. Most of their possessions were on their way by ship but luckily one of the few suitcases they brought with them was full of winter clothes.

Church members provided support. One rented the family a house – a lucky break because accommodation was scarce after Christchurch’s earthquakes. Another made them a list of tips on New Zealand life. They were put in touch with recruitment companies. It was a struggle at first, Jenny says. “Everything was new to us, even things that people take for granted in New Zealand.”

The rented house was in a good school zone and church members were also able to help out with uniforms for the children.

Ken and Jenny met Lana Hart at Settlement Support. Her assistance included putting Ken in touch with the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce where he met Jude Ryan O’Dea who runs the Chamber’s migrant employment programme.

This Immigration New Zealand-funded programme, Con-necting Canterbury Employers’ and Newcomers’ Skills, helps migrants like Ken to refine their CVs in the New Zealand style and develop their job interview skills. Ken’s efforts paid off and he began work at Hewlett-Packard about a month after arriving in Christchurch.

Ken was an experienced communicator in English but the Kiwi accent and slang proved a challenge. He listened to radio podcasts to get used to the accent and went to some free English classes that are available for migrants. He is still improving his Kiwi English, he says.

The girls started school soon after they arrived and settled in quickly. Ken and Jenny were keen to buy a house but were unfamiliar with the Christchurch area. They looked at houses each weekend, going to 87 open homes in five months. They went to home auctions, a new experience for them, to become familiar with the prices and procedures.

“Now we have our dream house,” Jenny says. “It’s very solid and 100 years old. It has character. Just recently we had a big storm but the house did not rattle. We felt really safe. We love the fireplace and the backyard. The garden has lots of space for the children to play.”

Ken Saito sometimes goes fishing after work. He also has time for the evening meal at home with his wife Jenny and their daughters Yuu and Yuki.



They grow vegetables and herbs, make their own compost and are planning to get some chickens.

Before arriving in New Zealand, Ken expected that Yuu, who is now 10, and Yuki, 9, would struggle for a year or two. They never complained, he says. They have friends, they like their teachers and really enjoy going to school.

Yuu’s favourite subject is music and she is in the school orchestra and choir. She says school is easier than in

Japan. She is allowed to spend more time on the subjects she likes and there is lots of playtime. Yuki’s favourite subject is art. She likes it that there is not much home-work, she says.

Jenny says she and Ken wondered whether they would encounter racism in New Zealand but found people very friendly. At school the kids have international days and are encouraged to talk about their own culture.“I think this plays a part in educating people here. I find that the people are very accepting, and like talking to people from other cultures”

Jenny’s advice to anyone thinking of moving to New Zealand would be to get as much information as pos-sible first. “Find out about whether it is right for you. It is for us, because it has many things that we like, but it may not be for everybody. If you like shopping, there are not as many shops. If you want to earn a lot of money, salaries here are not as good as in Japan. But if you want more time for the family, then maybe New Zealand is the place for you.”

Jenny was involved in community and voluntary work in Japan. In Christchurch, she volunteers at a day care centre for elderly people and at the Citizens Advice Bureau. She also teaches crafts at the Christchurch Migrant Centre which she says is a great place for people to meet and swap information.

Ken says he came to New Zealand expecting to enjoy the lifestyle – getting home from work earlier, having time for his family and hobbies.“It’s actually better than what we expected. We are really enjoying the life here.”

The family go hiking at weekends and camping when they can. Ken is also keen on DIY (do-it-yourself home projects) and his fishing. With a mortgage, the budget is tight but they hope sometime in the future to get a mobile home and travel around New Zealand.▪

“

”

We have our dream house – it’s very solid and 100 years old. It has character.


At Hewlett-Packard’s Application Services Global Deliv-ery centre in Christchurch, there are over 20 countries represented among its staff.

When Ken Saito came to the company which develops software for the government as well as the private sector, he was joining a team where migrants are valued.

The people care manager for the company’s testing team in Christchurch, Elizabeth Sheid, says HP often hires migrants because of the skills they offer. “We like having them with us – in our company.

“When we have openings, we look at skill set levels, and we look both within New Zealand and offshore. Offshore people will contact us through our global HP site for careers, and they'll send their CV to us.”

At work, it can be important to explain things carefully to migrants, Elizabeth says. People from some cultures want more detail about what they are doing, she says. If they are struggling with English, managers can steer them towards help with the language.

Hewlett-Packard has worked closely with the Chamber of Commerce and some government agencies, to make it easier for employees to settle, she says. The company recommends seminars that the Chamber of Commerce offers for newcomers. Staff tell her they enjoy the seminars. “They learn a lot and meet a lot of nice people.”

Newcomers are keen on the New Zealand lifestyle, which is more laid-back than in some countries, she says. “They like being able to have time for their families.” They also find they have time for hobbies that many of them could not do in other countries, sometimes because they were working too hard.

There are more statutory holidays than in some other countries and the standard four weeks’ annual leave is hugely beneficial to people, she says. It means they can spend more time with their family. If they need to visit their home country, they can take annual leave for the trip and avoid losing money.

“If you're looking to hire somebody from overseas, my suggestion is to talk to your local Chamber of Commerce. Talk to your government agencies. They have semi-nars and other resources to help people move. Here in Christchurch since the earthquakes, they're finding ways to make the move easier for all the migrants coming through, which is great.”

If you're looking to hire somebody from overseas, my suggestion is to talk to your local Chamber of Commerce. Talk to your government agencies.

MIGRANTS BRING VALUABLE SKILLS

“

”



BUILDING A NEW CITY AND A NEW LIFE

PLAY VIDEO


Martin Ryan had his own construction company in Ire-land for nearly 10 years. The global recession brought a construction downturn and Martin and his wife, Breffni, were looking for opportunities overseas. New Zealand was high on their list of options – it offered a culture similar to Ireland’s and a great lifestyle for the family. Christchurch stood out. It seemed similar to cities in Ireland, and with the rebuild there was going to be a lot of work.

“It was a huge decision for us,” Martin says. “The realisa-tion that we would be leaving our home and family and going to one of the farthest parts of the world made it one of the most stressful and emotional things we have ever had to face.”

There was also the excitement of a new challenge – a whole new start. “We didn’t know how we were going to feel about the place when we got here.”

Breffni researched Christchurch so thoroughly she knew which suburbs would suit the family – what amenities and schools there were.

Martin and Breffni arrived in New Zealand with their preschool daughters Emma and Molly two years ago. They rented out their home in Ireland and shipped their belongings to Christchurch, believing that with the huge cost of the move, they had to make it work. “We decided it was all or nothing.”

Nearly two years later, Martin, Breffni, Emma, 6, and Molly, 4, live in the seaside suburb of Redcliffs,about 20 minutes’ drive from Christchurch city centre.

One of the companies they researched from home was the recruiter Canstaff which later held interviews in Dublin. Martin was offered a job in Christchurch and, with the help of an immigration adviser, got a 12-month work visa within three months. The family was soon on the way to Christchurch.

After several months Martin moved to a project manage-ment role with the Hawkins Canterbury Recovery Project and was required to submit a new visa application. “We explained our circumstances to Immigration New Zealand and they told us we would most likely be eligible to apply for our residency, going through the points system. We are hoping to gain residency and eventually citizenship.”

At work, the transition has been easy, Martin says. The work is similar to his work in Ireland. “It's just a matter of learning the New Zealand building codes and the way the process works here. But that comes with the support of your employer, and learning it from your colleagues.

His job involves a combination of office and site work, assessing damage and developing repair strategies.

“There's a great bond between the Kiwis and new people coming in now. Everybody is learning from one another. There seems to be a great acceptance of people coming in, because we're here to work and help rebuild Christch-urch itself.”

The lifestyle is worlds away from what it was in Ireland, Martin says. “Everything here is based outdoors. We have outdoor swimming pools for the kids. Every four or five kilometres you drive you see facilities that are just second to none – toilets, safe play areas, green areas within the city. There are bicycle lanes everywhere. You

The earthquakes brought Martin Ryan and his family from County Kildare to Christchurch. Like hundreds of others Martin answered the call for workers to rebuild the city.



drive two kilometres and go rock climbing. An hour and a half outside the city, you can go skiing in winter.

The climate, though warmer and drier than in Ireland is not as warm as he and Breffni expected. Lack of quality housing and the high cost of renting came as a surprise.

“So much has been damaged by the earthquakes. There are so many houses that are still in need of repair. It has a huge effect on living and working here in Christchurch.”

Groceries, social activities and petrol seem expensive. However, the balance of salaries and taxes allows a good lifestyle. “You're more encouraged to take part in the outdoor activities.”

The couple already had a couple of suburbs in mind when they arrived in Christchurch. However, they found a central apartment to rent for a few months while they got to know the city.“We wanted to be central because we didn't know where anything was and we didn't have a car at first.”

They arrived in May and Emma was due to start school in November, which allowed time to confirm what they had learnt about schools and suburbs. Though parts of it had been damaged by the earthquakes, Redcliffs suited their needs and there is a Catholic school for the girls.

The family still miss their friends and relatives in Ireland. Breffni is glad she was busy right from the start, arrang-ing a school for Emma and kindergarten for Molly and making the necessary arrangements for life in a new place. Other mums she met have become good friends.

Seeing her family again has also helped. Breffni and the girls made a trip back last winter and her sister’s family has visited them in Christchurch.

The girls are starting to get Kiwi accents and have become more sporty, she says. “We're by the sea - so there’s the beach. The kids also have more freedom to run around and play than they had back home.” ▪

FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE

Asked what they would say to people thinking of moving to New Zealand, Martin and Breffni both stress one word – research.

BREFFNI: You need to know where you're going, what you want and what your expectations are. You can find out about childcare, schools, doctors, all the systems here. You need to have money for each visa, and know which one to apply for. If you're going to come, make the commitment. Don't say, ‘We'll go and see how it is'.

We were told to look up Trade Me which is a fantastic website for housing and other things. You also need a car. Initially, we needed somewhere short-term to stay. I had to go on a holiday website to get a holiday let with all the facilities we needed because our own things were still being shipped.

The hardest thing for us is being so far from home. The kids are away from their grandparents, their cousins, and all that network of people. The family uses Viber and Skype to stay in touch.

MARTIN:Look up exactly where you want to go, areas of the country that you're thinking of immigrating to. Look up schools, if you have kids. Do some research about the company or job you are coming to. Research the cost of living – how will you live and run a home. I would check out the amenities.

Ask yourself what kind of lifestyle are you hoping to have? Are you into outdoor activities and sport? Do you want to be city-based or out in the country? What amenities do you need to be near to achieve your aims?

The biggest challenge for us was the quality of accom-modation. The standard of build – heating and insula-tion in particular – is completely different here. Some migrants with young children dread the winter coming.

If you're going to come, make the commitment. Don't say, ‘We'll go and see how it is'.

“

”


The pool of talent available in New Zealand just isn’t big enough to cope with the Christchurch rebuild says Hawkins Canterbury Recovery Project Director Dean Boston. That’s why more than 30 people on a staff of 130 are migrants with various categories of work visas. They include about 15 nationalities.The Hawkins Canterbury Recovery Project is partnered with the insurer IAG to lead residential and light commercial rebuilding. It is part of the Hawkins Group along with Hawkins Construction, the second largest construction company in New Zealand.

The group expects big growth in construction in the next 15 years, creating even more demand for staff. “We're seeing growth throughout the group. We've got local New Zealanders involved, expat New Zealanders coming home, and a lot of migrants coming from Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and North America,” Dean says. “It's interesting. When we have social events, we've got a fantastic mix of people, and some of the conversations can get quite entertaining.”

Immigration New Zealand employer accreditation makes it easier to bring in staff from overseas. “We have a very strong relationship with Immigration New Zealand because of our size and the number of people. Smaller companies should also be aware that there's a lot of support out here.

“The people who are coming to Christchurch are not going to take a long time to integrate. Our experience is that they arrive, they're intelligent, switched-on, active people, who want to make a difference and be part of this rebuild.

“We find they are on-board and working within days. We give them a bit of lee-way for language, some of the local phrases can throw them a little bit, but that's going to be the same for everybody.”

Hawkins taps the international market with online adver-tising and uses a range of recruitment companies, Dean says. Overseas applicants are given up to three interviews by Skype and their qualifications are checked. “European

NEWCOMERS BOOST LOCAL

EXPERTISE

construction industry qualifications are very similar to New Zealand ones. We have continuing training and some of our staff continue to sit exams in New Zealand.”

Some companies hand-hold new migrant employees, he says, however Hawkins treat them much the same as other employees. “The employment agencies and Immigration New Zealand offer a lot of support and there's no need for us to replicate that. The support services that are in place are really good.

“We are certainly interested in our employees’ families, though. The company has a lot of family activities; last year, some of my guys were stunned to discover that we throw a Christmas party based around the kids. Our Auckland office, for example, rents Rainbow's End theme park for a day. Here in Christchurch, we rent a park, put up bouncy castles and all those sorts of things.”

Dean’s advice to companies considering bringing in migrant workers is: “Embrace the idea. The rebuild is not going to happen based with only the New Zealand talent pool.”

New Zealand will continue to need these people, he says. “We're a growing country. There’s a lot of development. We need good, skilled people. Those who come have done their research on the internet and there's good support services for them when they get here. They're a success story for us. ”



FAMILY LIFE RETURNS FOR MIGRANT COUPLEA couple working in Christchurch are regaining their family life by bringing their children from the Philippines after months apart.

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Rene Quinones is a painter with Buildtech’s Christchurch rebuild team and his wife, Christina is a security guard. Their three children Nathaniel, 9, Natalie, 7 and Nicola, 3, have been staying with Christina’s family in the Philippines. The idea of moving to New Zealand came when Rene’s brother-in-law was applying for a rebuild job. Rene contacted an agency in the Philippines and also applied for a job. After he was interviewed and offered work by Buildtech, it took him two months to assemble the required documents and get a visa.

The couple did a lot of research on New Zealand. “My plan was to come here to live. I have friends who have been

here and they told me lots of good things about New Zealand,” Rene says. They used the Immigration New Zealand website to build up their knowledge.

Rene arrived in Christchurch a little over a year ago on a work visa. He kept a watch on the website and the list of skills shortages in Canterbury. When painters were added to the list he submitted his Expression of Interest (EOI) which led to a residence visa. His background, which includes a degree and 12 years of teaching at a military institution, may have helped him, he says.

Christina came to New Zealand six months after Rene and now works as a security guard. All her workmates are Kiwis and she loves the job. Rene expected to be working with Kiwis but found himself among a wide variety of cultures involved in the rebuild. “They speak English but the accents made it a bit of a struggle to understand them at first.



“One of the main adjustments I had to make was to get used to the weather. In our country it’s tropical – warm most of the time. I arrived here towards the end of Sep-tember and the cold was a struggle for me.” Some of his work was outside.

Rene heard about cheap stores selling good second-hand clothes so as soon as he got his first pay, he bought more work clothes.

The job was different from what he expected, too. Paint-ing methods were different from those in the Philippines and he had to learn the names of different paints and what each was for. Even the rooms in houses had dif-ferent names from what he was used to.

He has also picked up plastering and wallpapering experi-ence and has been promoted to a supervisor’s role. Com-munication is the key, he says. He is not totally fluent in English yet but he can read write and speak it well. It also helps that he can drive a manual vehicle, which means he can drive team members to a work site and pick up materials when they are needed.

Food is easy to get but expensive. “In the Philippines you can buy cabbage for 20 cents a kilogram or less.


“CATCH A LADDER”– AND CATCH SOME KIWISPEAK

It’s not just technical terms that can baffle new migrants working in construction. Kiwi accents and slang pose their own challenge and on top of that there are the assorted British, Irish and other accents and terms to deal with.Not long after Filipino Rene Quinones started work in Christch-urch as a painter he was amazed when a worker who was leaving the site yelled: "Catch a ladder."

“I was wondering how I was going to catch a ladder. The ladder we have is really big. I was waiting for him to throw the ladder, but he didn't.

“Later I asked him what he said and asked him to say it slowly. It was: ‘Catch you later’.”

WHAT IT MEANSLanguage used on New Zealand construction sites can pose a challenge for newcomers. Here’s a sample of terms often heard on the job.

Bob the Builder – building cartoon character

Bobcat – small front loader tractor

Brickie – bricklayer

Chippy – builder, carpenter

Crescent – adjustable spanner

Dwang – a horizontal spacer fitted between two studs

Four by two – length of timber measuring approximately 94mm x 46mm

Gib Board / Gibraltar Board – Gypsum Board / plasterboard

Gibstopper – puts plaster finish on gib board

Jimmy bar – crow bar

Jimmy it out – take it out using a crowbar

Planed and gauged – timber machined to a specific size

Plant – machinery on site

Quote – give a price to do a job

Rough sawn – not smooth

Sawhorse – support workbench

Skip – large waste bin

Sparkie – electrician

Subcontractor / Subbie – tradesperson hired by the main contractor for work such as plumbing, wiring or painting

Untreated – no chemical preservatives.

www.ssnz.govt.nz/publications/ConstructionGuideMigrants.pdf

Here you might pay $3 to $4 a kilo. You really have to be careful what food you buy.”

The Philippine diet of rice at every meal sometimes makes his workmates laugh, Rene says. However, that is what a Filipino eats. Sometimes it is fish or meat with rice or just a mixture of vegetables with rice.

There is no problem getting spices and other ingredients in Christchurch. “There are a lot of Asian supermarkets and they have imported goods from the Philippines. We can find things here that we eat at home but there is a big difference in the price.”

Rene and Christina’s research included Kiwi culture and lifestyle. “We saw that Kiwis are family-orientated. They are likely to work from Monday to Friday and spend the weekend with the family. With our children here, our plan is to have a Kiwi lifestyle. We want to go camping and I know some fishing spots where we might take the children.”

At the time of this interview after 18 months working, Rene and Cristina had just managed to save enough to bring their three children to join them in New Zealand. Cristina’s careful planning included making sure there was enough for school uniforms and transport. Finally the family has been able to begin their new life together in the new city of Christchurch, New Zealand.▪



Bringing overseas workers into Christchurch poses chal-lenges but is well worth it, according to a company that has brought in more than 75 workers and restored more than 1200 earthquake-damaged homes.

Buildtech was founded three and a half years ago, and has grown rapidly. More than half of the 150 staff have come from about 15 different countries.

One of the Buildtech directors, Israel Cooper, says the percentage of overseas workers is likely to rise as the company continues to grow in restoration, as well as construction of new homes and commercial buildings.Most of the workers have come from Britain, Ireland and the Philippines. “We are seeing more coming from Australia now too.”

Israel says the process of bringing in workers is easier than the company expected and is becoming more streamlined. “We have received phenomenal support from Immigration of New Zealand.”

He says the boosted productivity and the cultural and community benefits outweigh any problems. “I'd highly recommend that anyone who is considering bringing in overseas workers go ahead.”

One of the main differences with people hired from over-seas is the need for cultural integration with Kiwi workers, Israel says. “It is important to spend time helping them to understand Kiwi workplace practices as well as the construction practices – and the way we act and behave.

“On the flip side, they give our Kiwi workers a lot of great practices, skills and cultural habits.”

“Construction workers are generally thought as pretty rough around the edges, but our Filipino workers are always well-presented regardless of what they're doing – crawling under houses, doing brickwork, or painting. They like their work environments to be tidy. We've seen a big improvement in tidiness at our work sites. Our Kiwi guys, not wanting to be shown up, have also followed suit.”

Workers from Britain and Ireland are among the easi-est to integrate into Kiwi culture and society. “There is a big Irish and UK community as a result of the rebuild, so they are able to find people from Dublin, Manchester or London quite easily. At Buildtech we have about 30 people from the UK. Christchurch is probably the most European city in New Zealand, so a lot of them have found integration easy.”

Language and slang are a challenge. “A lot of colloqui-alisms are used in construction. A foreman might ask someone to do something and use Kiwi terms, but the overseas worker struggles to understand. One of the things we do to combat that is a workshop for new overseas workers where we help with Kiwi terms that are specific to building sites, and others that might be used in social settings.

“We have internal programmes and we rely a lot on third-party help. There are local settlement services that run programmes in Christchurch which have really helped our workers.”

Advice is made available on everything from clothing to setting up bank accounts. The do's and don'ts of Kiwi culture are explained.

“A lot of overseas workers, especially from places like the Philippines, are used to different road rules. It’s important for them to know that seat belts are compulsory here. Just reminding them of these sorts of things is helpful.”

Many workers have had to leave families in their home countries. To ease the strain and help the families feel involved, Buildtech uses Facebook, posting workplace and social activity photos regularly.

Those who have brought their families with them have an easier transition, Israel says. For British and Irish families, understanding the New Zealand school system can be a priority. “It’s different from what they are used to but they find the standard very high, and getting their kids into local schools quite easy. Workers’ partners also

We've seen a big improvement in tidiness at our work sites. Our Kiwi guys, not wanting to be shown up, have also followed suit.

“

”

CULTURAL BLEND MEANS A JOB WELL DONE


NEW LIFE AN ADVENTURE FOR

THE FAMILYAfter eight years thinking about a move to New Zealand,

everything fell into place for a Dutch couple.

Patrick and Esther Stegeman first thought of migrating after Patrick’s sister and her husband moved to New Zealand several years ago. After visiting them, Patrick was almost convinced. Back in the Netherlands, a routine visit to a crowded supermarket helped.

The Netherlands is quite crowded, Patrick says, about the size of Canterbury but with 16 million people. “I was with my wife in a supermarket when it came to me.” Half a dozen times the couple were stuck behind people who were too busy sorting out their own shopping to notice others trying to get past. “I thought, that’s really differ-ent in New Zealand. People are more relaxed and have more interest in others around them.”

Less than a year later, Patrick and Esther had swapped their busy life in Hoogeveen in the northeast of the Netherlands for Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand.

The decision to move was made easier knowing there was some family waiting at Christchurch Airport – Patrick’s sister and her husband who have eight children. The plan was to stay with them for a couple of weeks but that turned into two and a half months because finding a rental house proved difficult.

They arrived in December 2012, with five children – soon to become six. For the kids, the move was one big adventure,

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Patrick says. “They checked it out on the internet, saw the things you can do here, and were really keen.” Their enthusiasm continued even after their parents told them that it would mean leaving behind friends and family for a place where they knew hardly anyone.

“Yes, it was a full house,” Esther says. “We were a big happy family – but it was nice when we finally got our own place.”

The couple were surprised to learn that in New Zealand they needed references to rent a house. They had to contact former neighbours in the Netherlands for ref-erences and provide proof of paying bills on time. One property manager advised them that because they had so many children, they should include a family photo when applying for rentals, to show that they were tidy.

“We did this and it helped,” Patrick says.

The house was good, until winter. It was hard to heat and not well-insulated. “I was at work during the day but it was hard for Esther at home with two small children.”

They began looking for a house to buy. One bank told them they needed a deposit of 20 per cent. They showed that they had the 20 per cent but were then told they would need 30 per cent because they did not have per-manent residency status. That was impossible so they began looking for a new rental and they struck it lucky.

A neighbour told them she was going overseas for a year or maybe more and offered them her six-bedroom home for the same rent as they were paying for a three-bedroom one. They moved in March this year. “It’s amazing. We are all happy and the teenagers have their own rooms.” The house is warmer too, with a pellet fire – an efficient and environmentally friendly heating system that burns fuel produced from forestry by-products.

Patrick still has a recruitment business in the Nether-lands but is limited by what he can do with it from New Zealand. With hindsight he says he should have found time to sell it.

He had investigated job opportunities during his visit and had liked Christchurch. His brother-in-law, who works in IT for medical recruitment specialists Kiwis STAT, suggested he try them for a job. He was interviewed by phone and because of his own recruitment experience was able to get the job offer he needed for his work visa.

Patrick used an immigration adviser to try to speed up the process which took six months. He will be eligible to apply for permanent residency in December this year, when he has been in New Zealand two years

Kiwis STAT recruits doctors and nurses for contract work in New Zealand and Australia. Strict regulations mean a lot of work even for filling in a short contract. “For example, a doctor or nurse is not allowed to have gaps in their CV,” Patrick says. “If they go on holiday for a few months, they have to mention that on the CV. We help them with all those sorts of things. “

In the Netherlands, he says, all types of employment are done through agencies. In New Zealand employees may start with a three-month trial period but in the Netherlands the trial can continue for a year and a half.

We were surprised to learn that in New Zealand you need references to rent a house.

“

”


After 15 months in Christchurch, the family has settled into a new lifestyle. “We really like it here,” Esther says. She is busy with two pre-schoolers but has met a lot of people through the children’s activities.

Jerandy, 15, Danisha, 14, Danny, 11, and Quinten, 9, like school even more than they did before they came to New Zealand. At first, they struggled with the English language but quickly made friends anyway, Esther says. Josephine, 3, is about to start kindergarten and New Zealand-born Germain recently turned one.

Among the things the family likes about living in Christchurch are the surrounding countryside, the beaches at Sumner and New Brighton, less than half an hour away. In winter there’s skiing and snowboarding at Mt Hutt, about an hour away.

Skype is a big help with keeping in touch with family and friends in the Netherlands. Esther’s sister and her husband and father, and Patrick’s father and his wife have already visited the family in Christchurch and more visits are planned.▪

We were a big happy family – but it was nice when we finally got our own place.

“

”

A TRIP FULL OF SURPRISESThe Stegeman family expected flying to New Zealand to be an adventure but it didn’t quite go as planned.

Setting off from Amsterdam to travel via Abu Dhabi and Melbourne, they were told they needed visas for one of their stops. Changes were made to their tickets and they were told to report to a desk when the plane landed.

At Abu Dhabi, with the flight running behind schedule, the family of seven dashed through the hallways and reported in – only to be told that they were meant to report in at Melbourne. The airline phoned Australia and made arrangements but their plight had delayed the flight further.

“When we got on the plane, everyone else was sitting there waiting for us,” Patrick says. “You can imagine all those faces looking at this family arriving so the plane can finally leave.”

Things went smoothly enough at Melbourne where the family spent a night at a Hotel. Back at the airport the next day, knowing they had plenty of time, they heard an announcement calling Patrick Stegeman to a counter. “I thought ‘Oh no, we must be late.’ So we all ran to the counter but there was just one woman waiting for me there. I showed her my passport and she said: ‘Don’t you know you can’t bring weapons.’ I had to go with a guard to a shed where they had my bag on a table surrounded by guys.”

He identified the bag, confirmed he had packed it and was then told they believed there was a pistol in it. “I opened it for them and felt around inside and told them I was sorry but I couldn’t feel anything like a pistol. An officer with rubber gloves searched and found a tiny lighter in the shape of a pistol. It was a Christmas pre-sent for one of my nephews.”

The family was allowed to continue on to Christchurch but the “pistol” stayed in Australia – you are not allowed to take lighters either.▪

When we got on the plane, everyone else was sitting there waiting for us

“

”



Workers from overseas have a lot to offer, recruitment specialist John Cleary says. They take a risk going to a new country and they need to make the move work. They tend to be good employees who work hard.

John is general manager of Kiwis STAT and Aus STAT medical recruiters that place doctors and nurses all over Australia and New Zealand.

The people he deals with are seeking flexibility and a good lifestyle. They are needed by hospitals, particularly in rural areas, where it is difficult to find full-time staff.

About half the doctors working in New Zealand hospitals have been trained overseas, John says. “A big part of our job is to assist doctors and nurses who have come here. Other times, we are helping them migrate to New Zealand.”

That help includes coaching newcomers about the cul-ture and lifestyle in New Zealand and making sure they have good information. “A lot of people have unrealistic expectations.” Some expect a South Pacific island climate, for example, he says. “We start by telling them what it is really like. We talk about the positives of why they want to come to New Zealand, then move on to the specifics of their job and what they might be doing.

“We can help them understand the specific criteria you have to meet to work in health in both Australia and New Zealand.” The company can advise on qualifications and how to get them recognised in the new country.

Some people are recruited for the Pacific islands and islands around Australia and New Zealand, and Norfolk Island, but the company is mainly involved with those

coming to live in New Zealand or Australia. Most start by doing locum (temporary) work.

The company is also open to employing overseas-trained people on its own staff. Sometimes it is difficult to find good qualified people with experience in recruitment or account management, John says. When John first spoke to Patrick Stegeman, it was a difficult period for employers. “We were looking at where we could pick up people from overseas.”

“We don't see it as a negative that someone has grown up in say, India or Holland. We see the positives about that person that we could use.”

He believes employers need to be careful about making generalisations. “I take the individual as they are and try to treat them that way, rather than saying, for example, they're Dutch, therefore they might react in a certain way. Or they're from the Philippines, they will react in a certain way.”

One of the most important things for an employer is to be very clear about what it is you are offering. “You need to explain what the risks are to the person you are looking to employ, how the economy is doing and what sort of environment they will be coming into.

“Then the key is in the early stages, has the employee got support at work and outside of work? Do they have a network of people they can rely upon to get them going? Do they have a network that can help with accommoda-tion and schools and all the things that are important when someone is moving from one side of the world to the other.”

RECRUITER TARGETS OVERSEAS-TRAINED STAFF

Patrick Stegeman with Kiwis STAT manager John Cleary

A WORD OF ADVICE CONSUMER RIGHTS


Finding somewhere to live is a top priority for most newcomers, wherever they settle in New Zealand. In Auckland, where almost 50 per cent of new migrants settle, there is a wide variety of options. In Christchurch the housing market is tight and the cost of renting has increased since the earthquakes.

Immigration New Zealand’s migrant information service suggests finding temporary accommodation, then perhaps renting so you can check out the area that will suit your needs and learn what to look for when buying a home. See www.newzealandnow.govt.nz for more information, including links to other sites that help with temporary accommodation.

A PLACE TO STAY

CONSUMER RIGHTS A WORD OF ADVICE

www.ssnz.govt.nz


KNOW YOUR RIGHTS New Zealand law protects everyone, including migrants from exploitation. If a person believes they have been discriminated against because of race or ethnic origin, perhaps they have been turned away, or charged more than locals, a complaint can be made to the Human Rights Commission.

If accommodation is substandard or dirty and you want to leave and get your money back, the Consumer Guar-antees Act applies. Advice is available from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).If you think your accommodation is unsafe or unsanitary, you can complain to the local council.

In Christchurch, local settlement support co-ordinator Lana Hart says housing can be difficult to find but is not at crisis point. “New migrants are finding homes to live in, they just might be a bit colder, in a different area, or more expensive than they’d hoped for.

Temporary accommodation in the city has grown as the Christchurch rebuild gathers pace and more workers arrive, she says. Central city living is growing again and in the suburbs and surrounding townships, repairs and rebuilds are making more houses available.

A form of boarding with private homeowners, known as billeting, is popular with rebuild workers. Irish, British and Asian tradespeople are filling the rooms left vacant when international students left the city after the quakes. Boarders live in someone else’s home, often as part of the family, using the living areas and facilities of the house while having their own room. Two meals and laundry service are often part of the package.

Depending on what type of temporary accommodation you are considering it pays to check:

Boarding• Are blankets and linen provided?

• Do you have your own bathroom or is it shared?

• Are you able to have friends visit?

• Is there a kitchen where you can prepare your own food?

• If meals are provided, does the food suit you?

• What are the meal times?

• Is there phone and internet access?

• Are there rules on smoking and alcohol?

• Is it close to public transport?

• What are the parking arrangements?

Renting• Is the bond less than 4 weeks rent?

• If the building is part of a block, are there corporate rules you should know?

• Is the bond being paid to MBIE housing division, and a receipt provided?

There are also workers camps. In Christchurch the Leighs camp for Filipino staff was the first to be set up and includes features such as a basketball court, Filipino cook, and wifi zones. A holiday park in Riccarton, not far from the city centre has been converted into accommodation for 300 workers and one construction company has designed a village-in-a-shed, fitting out containers as separate accommodation units.

Lana says a key point for many migrant families is the link between neighbourhoods and school zones. Some primary and many secondary schools have zones. This means that only students living in a specified area are guaranteed a place at the school. However most new migrants with families are still finding a satisfactory place to live.

HELPFUL WEBSITES: For more information: www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/housing

For information on hotels and motels, etc: www.accommodationnewzealand.co.nz

For information on boarding: http://tinyurl/nzboarding

For information on renting: www.dbh.govt.nz/tenants-index

If your human rights are being ignored or you believe you have experienced discrimination: www.hrc.co.nz

A WORD OF ADVICE CONSUMER RIGHTS


Clothes dryers, gas and other heaters can be essential during the cold winter months but they are a potential hazard if not used correctly. Testing gas and electric heaters and getting them serviced, fixed or replaced before winter means that you will be well prepared. If you have gas heaters get them serviced by a qualified technician. Flame-effect heaters and LPG cabinet heaters should be serviced annually and other types of flued and unflued space heaters at least every two years.

KEEP WARM AND DRY

SAFELY IN WINTER

Fireplaces – mostly efficient woodburners – are popular in New Zealand. Climate conditions in Christchurch mean only very modern wood fire systems are permitted.

CONSUMER RIGHTS A WORD OF ADVICE

www.ssnz.govt.nz


GAS HEATERSLPG cabinet heaters are used in many homes. But each year, people are hurt and some lose their homes in acci-dents with these heaters.

Tips for keeping warm safely:

• Smell — switch off your heater immediately if you detect any unusual smells as this could signal a gas leak or the presence of toxic carbon monoxide. Call a service agent — a list of LPG appliance service agents is available on the Consumer section of the Energy Safety website: www.med.govt.nz/energysafety

• Listen — switch off your heater immediately if you hear gas leaking, and call a service agent.

• Leak test — check LPG heater connections often. Spread soapy water on the connections, turn on the cylinder valve and look for bubbles. If bubbles appear, turn off the valve and call a service agent. Never put a leaking cylinder or gas appliance in your car.

• Put a safety guard around the heater if there are young children in the home.

• Ventilate — always make sure you have plenty of ventilation. Open a window slightly and don’t use LPG heaters in small spaces such as bathrooms or spaces where the heater may be unsupervised, such as bedrooms.

• Service — have your heater serviced once a year.

OTHER HEATERSFollow the manufacturer’s instructions and always unplug the heater when it’s not being used.

• Only use the heater for what it has been designed for. Don’t use it to dry clothes unless it has been designed to. If it has been designed for drying, hang clothes on the appropriate racks and keep them at a safe distance.

• Ensure radiant and fan heaters are stable, level and don’t point downward on to carpets, wood, or other flammable surfaces.

• Check for anything broken or missing and signs of scorching, melting, blistering, or incorrect operation. If you find a problem turn the heater off and have it checked by a registered electrical service technician.

• Treat a “tingle” or slight shock from a heater as a warning — don’t use it without having it checked by a qualified service person.

• Don’t overload multi-plugs and multi-boxes by plugging in appliances, such as heaters and other large appliances. Plug appliances that heat straight into a wall socket.

ENERGY SAFETY WEBSITE Official advice on electric and gas services is provided online by Energy Safety which is part of WorkSafe New Zealand.

Visit www.med.govt.nz/energysafety and click on the Consumer tab.

KEEP HEATING BILLS DOWNEECA – the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority – is the Government agency that works to improve the energy efficiency of New Zealand’s homes and businesses, and encourage use of renewable energy. EECA may be able to provide financial assistance to help you make energy efficiency improvements to your home, such as installing insulation and clean heating, and solar water heating systems.

Visit: www.eeca.govt.nz

ENERGYWISE is EECA’s programme of information and funding for householders. For practical information and advice to help you make energy-efficient choices visit: www.energywise.govt.nz

THE HEATER METRE RULEKeep your heater at least a metre away from curtains or anything that might burn — this is the heater metre rule. Heat can build up quickly to the point where curtains and furnishings can catch on fire.

CLOTHES DRYERSWays to minimise the risk of dryer fires include:

• Clean the lint filter every time you use the dryer. Lint build-up is a key fire factor, and reduces dryer effi-ciency. Keep the area around the dryer free from lint.

• Use hot water to wash anything that has been in contact with flammable substances, such as dry cleaning solvents, massage oil, cooking oil, hair care products, or anything containing petroleum.

• Check pockets before you put clothes into a dryer – cigarette lighters can cause fires.

• Always let the dryer complete its cool-down cycle before turning it off. If it is an older dryer without a cool-down cycle, remove the clothes and separate them to cool. Clothes left bundled up are more likely to catch fire.

• Never dry rubber, fibreglass, any plastic or film in the dryer – for example, plastic table cloths and baby bibs.

• If your dryer is not working properly, or has a smell of overheating or burning, get advice from a service agent.

EMPLOYMENTWORKING IN NEW ZEALAND


NEW GUIDES FOR MIGRANTS AND EMPLOYERS IN AGED CARE

Two new guides are now available, providing information for new migrants working in the Aged Care sector, and for their employers.

The Minister of Immgiration, the Hon Michael Woodhouse launching the new Aged Care Sector Guides at Te Papa Tongarewa – The Museum of New Zealand.

www.ssnz.govt.nz

EMPLOYMENT WORKING IN NEW ZEALAND


The new guides are part of a commitment by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Immigration Group, to make good information for potentially at risk new migrant groups more easily available.

Similar guides recently developed for the Dairy and Construction sectors, and for new Pacific migrants have already been warmly received.

The aged care sector is growing rapidly. This is because the number of people in New Zealand aged over 64 has doubled since 1980 to over 600,000 and it is expected to double again by 2036. And the greatest growth will be in age groups like the over 85’s where the demand for caregivers is highest.

At the same time, the relative size of the Kiwi workforce is dropping, and the demand for staff cannot be met by onshore workers alone.

Comparable countries like Australia, The United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, have the same problem. One way New Zealand can compete cost-effectively for these valued workers is to be a welcoming and supportive country that migrants will choose to work in.

The importance of this approach was highlighted when the Minster of Immigration, Hon Michael Woodhouse launched the two new guides at the Workforce Develop-ment conference held at Te Papa in late May.

WORKING IN AGED CARE IN NEW ZEALAND – A GUIDE FOR MIGRANTSFor migrants the guide provides useful information that will help them settle quickly into life and work in New Zea-land. It is targeted at helping migrants be more aware of their work rights, health and safety practices and some differences they may face particularly around climate, communication and the cost of living in New Zealand.

Consultation with employees and employers suggests many common problems and concerns result from quite simple gaps in understanding, rather than any lack of skills, ability or desire to work well.

The migrant guide highlights relevant areas from a migrant employee viewpoint, to better prepare newcom-ers to be successful in their daily lives, both at work and in the community.

ARE YOU EMPLOYING MIGRANT WORKERS IN AGED CARE? – A GUIDE FOR EMPLOYERSFor employers, being able to hire, train and keep staff is important for their business.

The guide for employers and organisations provides companies working in aged care with a compact source of key information and insights they can use to prepare for their new migrant employees, so that they are able to more easily adjust to Aged Care work here.

Content includes understanding differences in work styles, management styles, and ways of communicat-ing, and also what employers must legally provide new migrant employees.

A COLLABORATIVE EFFORTA wide range of organisations were involved in the development of the new guides

Free copies by order or available online

The new Aged Care sector guides and other similar products are all available from:

www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/resources

EDUCATIONTOWARDS A LEARNING SOCIETY


LEARN AND GET QUALIFIED WHILE YOU WORK

An apprenticeship is a good way to gain the right training for a career in New Zealand and to get paid while you do it. Many migrants arrive in New

Zealand qualified to work under the Skilled Migrant Category. But they may bring with them young family members wanting to start a career. An

apprenticeship could be a valuable option for them.

Apprenticeships are available in a wide range of industries, often where future skills shortages are anticipated.

TOWARDS A LEARNING SOCIETY

www.ssnz.govt.nz

EDUCATION


In dozens of industries, apprentices can work, study, gain qualifications and set themselves up for developing careers. There are about 20 Industry training organisa-tions ( ITOs), which cover a wide range of industries including service, manufacturing, primary industries (such as agriculture), and trades.

The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) approves all NZ Apprenticeships and maintains a register. It is expected that after completing a NZ Apprenticeship, the apprentice will be “work competent” for the occupation in which they have been training. The industries involved will set the standards of competency to be met.

There are training fees but these are subsidised to keep course costs low. An apprentice may have to pay for some course-related costs and training materials.

Finding a jobThe first step to an apprenticeship is finding a job with a company that operates an apprenticeship scheme.

Registered apprenticeships are available in over 150 roles across most industries. Use the table below to identify and contact the Industry Training Organisation (ITO) for the industry sector that appeals to you – and ask them how you can best prepare for and gain a qualifying job.

THE NEW ZEALAND APPRENTICESHIPS SCHEMESince January 2014, all apprentice-type training pro-grammes have been combined into the New Zealand Apprenticeships scheme, which aims to:

• provide an entry point into occupations, setting a person up for a career in an industry

• meet regulations

• provide theoretical and practical knowledge to support further learning.

Under the scheme:• an apprentice must be employed in the occupation

for which they are training

• an apprentice must be supported by a training plan agreed by the apprentice, the employer and the training organisation

• all NZ Apprenticeships will result in at least a level 4 New Zealand qualification with a minimum of 120 credits.

To find out more about New Zealand Appren-ticeships see:

tinyurl.com/nzapprenticenz

For details about qualifications, see the New Zealand Qualifications Authority site: www.nzqa.govt.nz

To find out what apprenticeships are available, see the NZ Apprenticeships Register on the site: www.tec.govt.nz/

TRAINING IN: ORGANISATION URL

Primary Industries - dairy, sheep, beef, pork, poultry, deer, rural servicing, wool harvesting and water supply.

Primary ITO www.primaryito.ac.nz

Infrastructure including Electricity Infrastructure ITO www.infrastructureito.org.nz

Building and Construction BCITO www.bcito.org.nz

Communications & media, Engineering, Food & beverage, Forestry, Manufacturing, Plastics & materials manufacturing, Trades, Transport, Cross industry qualifications

Competenz www.competenz.org.nz

Boat building and related work NZ Marine www.nzmarine.com

Transport, logistics and extractives industries MITO mito.org.nz

Service industry roles in Aviation, Hospitality, Museums, Retail, Tourism, Travel, and Wholesale

ServiceIQ www.serviceiq.org.nz

Hairdressing HITO www.hito.org.nz

EDUCATIONTOWARDS A LEARNING SOCIETY


Moving to a new country, getting to know your local area, settling the family and starting a new job can make for a rewarding, but hectic time for new migrants. What happens if new migrants also need to learn new skills or gain qualifications that will be recognised in New Zealand? Finding the time to attend lectures or classes can be difficult.

One solution is to study by distance. Distance study means people can study where and when it suits them, without the need to attend classes.

One tertiary education provider that has been offering distance education services for more than 60 years is the Open Polytechnic. It is New Zealand’s specialist provider

DISTANCE STUDY AN OPTION FOR NEW KIWIS

of open and distance education and offers a variety of courses from certificate to diploma and degree level. It is also one of the largest polytechnics in the country, with more than 34,000 students a year enrolling to study towards a nationally recognised qualification.

The Open Polytechnic is Government-owned and funded, delivering hundreds of courses throughout New Zealand and internationally. For people taking up tertiary study for the first time, or who have been away from study for a while, the Open Polytechnic’s Tertiary Study Skills qualification may be a good option. It provides learning strategies and writing, information literacy, computer and numerical skills.

Course materials are delivered to students’ homes or online, depending on the course, and tutor and library support are also provided by free phone, email, and the polytechnic’s online campus.

Distance learning offers flexibility, but can still deliver excellent results

TOWARDS A LEARNING SOCIETY

www.ssnz.govt.nz

EDUCATION


TOWARDS A LEARNING SOCIETYEDUCATION

The Open Polytechnic is New Zealand’s specialist provider of tertiary distance education.

Most of the Open Polytechnic’s students are adults. Many say they fit their studies in around their work, family or other commitments. That may mean studying at night, at weekends, or when they can find some spare time during a weekday.

Distance study is not ideal for everyone. Some new migrants might want the social interaction provided by attending a class. Others may find they need extra assistance because of language difficulties. However, distance study works well for people who do not have time to attend classes, are self-motivated, can keep to a study schedule, and are comfortable learning outside of a classroom environment.

Some students choose distance learning because there is no university or polytechnic nearby offering the courses they want to study.

Newcomers to New Zealand may be unsure about which part of the country they want to finally settle in, but may want to study for New Zealand qualifications immediately. Distance study is an ideal solution because they can take their studies with them when they move to another area.

The Open Polytechnic also provides learning support for those who may be concerned about how long it has been since they last wrote an essay or sat an exam. Its StudyWise and ExamWise online workshops offer tips on study skills and strategies, as well as exam skills.

There are strategies, tips and techniques to help stu-dents succeed in online, distance learning. One-to-one

consultations with a learning adviser are held by tel-ephone or email. There is also a mentoring programme and support for students with disabilities.

To find out more about the programmes on offer at the Open Polytechnic visit its website: www.openpolytechnic.ac.nz or for advice on what might suit you, call the free phone (0508) 650 200.


UNDERSTANDING MĀORI TIKANGA AND TE REO MĀORI

Pounamu and New Zealand jade are names for greenstone, highly valued for its strength, durability and beauty, used for making adornments, tools, and weapons and in peace-making. It is found only in the South Island which was originally named Te Wāhi Pounamu (the place of pounamu).Over time this name changed to Te Wai Pounamu (the green-stone waters).

The main deposits used by Māori are in the districts around the Taramakau and Arahura rivers in Westland, coastal south Westland, Lake Wakatipu area in Otago and Milford Sound (Piopiotahi).

Māori recognise four main types of pounamu, identify-ing their colour and translucence: kawakawa, kahurangi, īnanga and tangiwai. The first three are nephrite con-taining small amounts of iron, which adds depth to the green colour. Tangiwai is a bowenite with distinctive translucence qualities found only at the entrance to Mil-ford Sound. There were many other names for varieties of pounamu based on shade and hue, including several tribal variations.

ARA POUNAMUJOURNEY OF THE GREENSTONE TRAILSBy Prof. Rawiri Taonui


MĀORI UNDERSTANDING MĀORI TIKANGA AND TE REO

www.ssnz.govt.nz

POUTINI AND TAMAĀHUAThe legend of Poutini the taniwha and husband and wife Tamaāhua and Waitaiki explains the origins of pounamu. Poutini kidnapped Waitaiki from Tūhua Island in the Bay of Plenty. Pursued by Tamaāhua he fled to the West Coast of the South Island where Tamaāhua trapped him in the Arahura River. Poutini distracted Tamaāhua by casting Waitaiki into the river where she turned into pounamu before making his way to the sea where today he cruises as a guardian of the precious stone. Tamaāhua turned into a hill above the Arahura River as an inland guardian of the beautiful Waitaiki.

TRADEPounamu was extensively traded into the North Island. Obsidian such as from Tūhua Island in the Bay of Plenty and hard basalt from Tāhanga in the Coromandel came south. This trade gave rise to dozens of greenstone trails stretching along both coasts and crisscrossing the alpine passes of the Southern Alps well before Europeans arrived in New Zealand.

In Canterbury the passes ranged from the Maruia (Lewis Pass), Noti Taramakau (Harper Pass), Ōtira-Waimakariri (Arthur’s Pass), Kahukura (Harman Pass), Noti Raureka (Browning Pass) and Ō-Tū-te-kawa (Mathias Pass).

LOSS OF POUNAMUThe West Coast section of Ngāi Tahu, known as Poutini Ngāi Tahu, controlled the bulk of the sources of pounamu. By the 1860s, Crown purchasing and policies began intruding on Ngāi Tahu’s access to pounamu. Despite several promises to allow Ngāi Tahu to retain owner-ship of pounamu, including establishing the Mawhera Corporation to represent the descendants of the original owners in 1976, the Crown controlled the resource under several mining acts.

NGĀI TAHU REGAINS POUNAMUAfter more than a century of discussion and negotiation, the Ngāi Tahu (Pounamu Vesting) Act (1997) re-vested all naturally occurring pounamu in Ngāi Tahu. In recog-nition of the special relationship of Poutini Ngāi Tahu, Ngāi Tahu vested ownership of pounamu in the Arahura area in the Māwhera Corporation. The tribe administers the sustainable harvesting of pounamu through a Pou-namu Resource Management Plan and is developing a trademark so tourists will know they are buying genuine New Zealand pounamu, and to combat cheap copies of Māori greenstone designs made overseas from jade and sold in tourist shops.

Te Wai Pounamu (the greenstone waters): Rivers like this are where most of this unique New Zealand Jade is found.

LEISURELIVING AND PLAYING THE NEW ZEALAND WAY


Fishing is one of New Zealand’s most loved activities. We have a beautiful country with plenty of beaches and lots of great fishing spots. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) works to keep New Zealand’s fisheries sustainable, making sure there are fish for today, tomorrow, and many years to come.

FISHING FOR FUN – KEEP

YOUR CATCH LEGAL

FROM THE MINISTRY OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

LIVING AND PLAYING THE NEW ZEALAND WAYLEISURE


Our long and varied coastline is a great place to visit and enjoy. Fishing for fun is something many New Zealanders enjoy – especially over the summer. Fishing and seafood are also important to Maori. With a huge range of fish in our waters, from Kahawai to Kingfish and Paua to Pipis, our kai moana (food from the sea) is tasty and there for everyone to enjoy.

Because we want to keep fish available to everyone, New Zealand has rules about fishing. There are rules around the number of fish and shellfish you can catch, the sizes of fish you are allowed to keep and where and how you can fish. These rules are set by MPI so that you can catch enough fish for you and your family to enjoy while leaving plenty of fish for others later.

MPI has developed free services to make following the rules easy – find out more through www.mpi.govt.nz, by visiting your local MPI office, or by downloading the free NZ Fishing Rules app. When you go fishing, you will sometimes see people in uniforms called fishery officers, honorary fishery officers or compliance officers. These people work for MPI and will help you understand the rules and tell you how much fish or shellfish you are allowed. There are also signs at popular fishing places to remind you of the rules.

Fishing regulations cover all types of seafood including shellfish collecting. Fisheries officers are always on the watch – and reporting by the public is also encouraged.

LEISURELIVING AND PLAYING THE NEW ZEALAND WAY


There are a few people who don’t care about the rules. People who will catch far too many fish without thinking about anyone else or the future. This is called poaching and is illegal. It is also illegal to sell or trade the fish you catch. We are very serious about policing our fishing rules. If you have too many fish or fish that are too small you can face big fines and even prison. You can also have your boat or your car taken away.

Enjoy our fisheries, discover them, explore them, share them – and most of all respect them. Then there will be enough fish for you and your children to enjoy – as well as their children and their children’s children.

MPI’S FREE SERVICES FOR CHECKING THE FISHING RULES:

• Visit www.mpi.govt.nz

• Free text the word “app” to 9889 to download our app

• Free text the name of the fish you are catching to 9889 to check the rules for that fish

• Visit your local MPI office to collect a brochure (for locations, visit www.mpi.govt.nz)


MĀORI UNDERSTANDING MĀORI TIKANGA AND TE REO

www.ssnz.govt.nz

The most basic sentence for this is:

He aha tō mahi? .............................................. What is your work?

It is useful to have a good reply such as the following:

He kaimahi whakapai rū whenua ................ I am working on the earthquake rebuild

He māhita ahau. ....................................... I (ahau) am a teacher (māhita)

These sentences can be substituted with any of the following:

Kaihangawhare .............................................. Builder

Kaipeita ............................................................ Painter

Kaimahirori .......................................................Road worker

Kaipāmu ...........................................................Farmer

Kaimahi i te tari .........................................Office worker

Tauira .........................................................Student

Kaiwhakapauahi ........................................Fire fighter

Pirihimana .......................................................Police

Ngāti Tūmatauenga .......................................In the armed forces (army, navy, air force)

Tākuta ..............................................................Doctor

Kaiwhakahaere ...............................................Administrator

Hekatere ..........................................................Secretary

Kaimahi noa ....................................................Manual labourer

Taraiwa .............................................................Driver (bus, truck, taxi)

Kaitapuhi .........................................................Nurse

Kaihoko ......................................................Salesperson

You will notice that the prefix “kai” (in this sense meaning to do) precedes the name of many occupations. This is a useful piece of grammar to understand because if you don’t know the name of your occupation in Māori you can use the generic reference “kaimahi” and place of your work to explain what you do, for example:

He kaimahi i te mira ahau .............................I (ahau) am a worker (kaimahi) at a factory (i te mira)

He kaimahi ahau i te pāmu ........................... I (ahau) am a worker (kaimahi) on a farm (i te pāmu)

Kia pai tō mahi (good luck with your work). Use the online Māori dictionary to look up the words for other occupations (http://www.maoridictionary.co.nz).

TE REO MĀORIASKING AND SAYING WHAT

YOU DO FOR WORK

Knowing how to ask and say what you do for work is a useful skill when conversing in Te reo.

BY PROF. RAWIRI TAONUI

HOME AND FAMILYLIVING AND PLAYING THE NEW ZEALAND WAY

www.immigration.govt.nz LINKZ ISSUE 57 2014 45

10 FREE THINGS TO DO IN CHRISTCHURCH – a sample from the christchurchmums.com website’s list of free things you can do with your children around Christchurch

1. Go to Riccarton bush – feed old bread to the ducks and do the bush walk.

2. Take a picnic to Hagley Park or to the Botanic Gar-dens. There are many places to walk around and things to look at. Feed the ducks, let the kids enjoy the playground, or enjoy an outdoor concert during summer. Take a blanket and books to read together.

3. Visit the Canterbury Museum in the Botanic Gardens. It has changing exhibits.

4. Go to one of the great paddling pools – the whale at Brighton beach or the pools by the playground at the Botanic gardens. Abberley Park and Woodham Park also have pools. Or swim at one of the beaches (Sumner, Brighton, or the bays around by Lyttelton).

5. Head up the Port Hills to the Sign of the Takahe or the Sign of the Kiwi. Both buildings have been closed because of the earthquakes, but the views are amazing. There are trails to hike around and lots of places to enjoy.

6. Visit the animal park opposite the Spencer Park motor camp entrance. As well as aviaries, there are chickens, rabbits, peacocks and kune kune pigs. Walk through their enclosures at your own pace.

7. Watch planes take off at the back of the airport.

8. Ride bikes at Bottle Lake Forest or the Westburn Bike Park (it has a mini road system for kids).

9. Go to the nearest community garden and get your hands dirty. Get involved in your local area through healthy habits. This is a great experience for kids.

10. Walk the New Brighton pier. Then head to the sand and build a castle on the beach (take a bucket).

– www.christchurchmums.com

CHRISTCHURCH FOR BEGINNERSWhen you are new to a city, busy with housing, schooling and employment, things like where to take your children for a break can often drop off the priority list.There are many good free choices for parents in Christchurch, and good community services that work to provide support.

Other websites offering tips on things to do in and around Christchurch include:

Christchurch City Council www.christchurch.org.nz

CINCH (Community Information Christchurch), an online directory of clubs, community organisations and con-tinuing education providers in the greater Christchurch area. Created by Christchurch City Libraries, CINCH has more than 5800 listings.

http://cinch.org.nz

Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism, the Regional Tourism Organisation for the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island www.christchurchnz.com

Settlement Support Christchurch:http://www.settlementsupport.net.nz/

LIVING AND PLAYING THE NEW ZEALAND WAYLEISURE


BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY NEEDS SOME HELP

VOLUNTEER FOR CONSERVATION

"People who are new to New Zealand often see what the country has to offer and want to give something back."

– James Willcocks, Volunteering Manager, Department of Conservation


If New Zealand’s stunning scenery, beautiful bush and unique wildlife were among your reasons for coming to live in this country, then volunteering for the Department of Conservation (DOC) may be an opportunity of a lifetime.

DOC manages one third of New Zealand’s land area, ranging from the national parks to marine reserves, camping grounds to bush huts. It also leads the way in protecting the country’s weird and wonderful wildlife, with numerous rescue and breeding programmes for iconic birds such as the kiwi and the kakapo.

James Willcocks, who manages DOC’s volunteer pro-gramme, says the work done by volunteers makes a big contribution to many of the things that residents, and tourists, expect to see.

People who are new to New Zealand often see what the country has to offer and want to give something back, he says. Newcomers are welcome to join volunteers who help to look after mountains, lakes, forests and the sound of birdsong in the bush.

With plenty of work to do, DOC is always on the look-out for willing volunteers ready to help out. Volunteers assist with many different conservation tasks such as bird counts, historic building restoration, kiwi recovery, habitat restoration, hut maintenance, weed control, whale strandings, tree planting, and giving talks. What you do depends partly on your skills.

As well as being fun it can be great experience, and pro-vides the chance to meet some fantastic people.

Volunteers can sign up for opportunities alone, or can join one of many groups which do vital work around the country, such as the Motutapu Restoration Trust, Sup-porters of Tiritiri Matangi, Karori Sanctuary Trust or the Arthur’s Pass Community Kiwi Volunteers.

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIESThere are hundreds of opportunities for volunteers to get involved with DOC. To see details of projects in your region see:www.doc.govt.nz.

Hut wardensLive in a wilderness hut for a week or more, offering advice to trampers and carrying out track maintenance and basic cleaning duties. You need to be relatively fit, and potentially need to undertake training first.

Protecting native birdsSeveral projects involve protecting native wildlife against predators, such as stoats, weasels and rats. Projects include protection of seabirds that nest on beaches. Volunteer tasks include the tough but important job of setting up traps for the predators.

Canterbury Volunteer fire-fightersDOC is the largest rural fire authority in the county, and is responsible for preventing and controlling fire on public land – uncontrolled fires can devastate natural areas which may never recover. In Canterbury, two volunteer high country fire teams specialise in fighting rural fires

– and they need volunteers.

Volunteering with the Department of Conservation can be fun!

For more details: www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved

In Auckland and nationwide…

New Kiwis

Are you looking for employment?

www.newkiwis.co.nz is a free job site for skilled Returning Kiwis and

New Migrants who are seeking employment.

Benefits:

• Access a network of around 20,000 NZ employers

• Employers advertise vacancies and can search for you

• Access to an information centre with relevant information for

newcomers

• Understand the NZ job market with specialist online training

courses.

In Wellington and Canterbury…

Newcomer Skills Matching Programme – Wellington

Connecting Canterbury Employers and Newcomers’ Skills Programme

– Christchurch

These programmes match newcomers with the skills that employ-

ers are seeking in the Wellington and Canterbury regions. They assist

newcomers to New Zealand with career guidance, CV reviewing, and

interview techniques; and improve access to employment opportuni-

ties that match their skills. For more information about the Newcomer

Skills Matching Programme:

• In Wellington: phone 04 470 9949,

email [email protected] or go to:

http://tinyurl.com/weccskills

• In Canterbury: phone 03 353 4161,

email [email protected] or go to: www.cecc.org.nz

PLEASE RECYCLE LINKZ AND ITS PACKAGING

Immigration New Zealand funds the following specialist services to support the settlement of new migrants, and to enable New Zealand employers to easily locate the skills their businesses need.

CAB Language Link – free help in your languageCitizens Advice Bureau is an independent community organisation providing free, confidential information, advice, support and advocacy. CAB Language Link is funded by Immigration New Zealand to provide the CAB service to newcomers in over 20 languages. To contact CAB Language Link about any issue, phone 0800 78 88 77 or go to: www.cab.org.nz and click on the ‘Help in your language’ button.

Chinese New Settlers Services Trust – workshops about living in NZ for Chinese and Korean newcomersThe Chinese New Settlers Services Trust provides a series of workshops across Auckland that help Chinese and Korean newcomers learn more about settling in New Zealand. For more information, phone 09 570 1188 or go to: www.chineseservice.org.nz and search for ‘Settlement Support’.

Immigration New Zealand funds several services that match newcomers with the skills employers are seeking. These services assist newcomers with careers guidance, CV reviewing and interview performance and improves access to employment opportunities that match their skills and experience.

Documents

ISSUE INSIDE 57 7 MĀORI 2014 Christchurch LINKZ · Photographers/Images: Michelle Sullivan Julian Varez Charles Simcox Ivor Earp-Jones ... FAMILY 16 41 35 39 Ara Pounamu – The