LINKZISSUE 61 2015 FEATURED REGIONS TAURANGA, ROTORUA & TAUPŌ

Exploring new horizons

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WHEN YOU ARE NEW TO NEW ZEALAND

 LINKZ ISSUE 61

ROTORUA

CONTENTS

02 Broadcast Welcome from Steve McGill, General Manager, Settlement, Protection and Attraction, Immigration New Zealand

REGIONAL

04 Rohe – Tauranga, Rotorua and Taupō

06 Tauranga

10 Exploring new horizons

14 Long road to happiness

16 Rotorua

20 Outward bound

24 Two hearts and a new start

28 Taupō

32 New life, new pace

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

settlementinformation@mbie.govt.nz

Editors: Chris Clarke/Malcolm Wood Writers: Mary de Ruyter, Malcolm Wood, David Larsen Design: James Calcinai

Contributors: Prof. Rawiri Taonui Tauranga City Council Rotorua Lakes Council Taupō District Council Inland Revenue Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge

Photographers/Images: Chris Kirkham NZ Greenroom Lloyd Homer GNS Science Chris Williams

MB13234

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 and Employment 2015

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

LINKZ ISSUE 61  1

COMMUNICATION

36 Improving your English

38 Professional Speaking for Migrants

40 Sandeep's story

42 The confidence to stand up and talk

43 Speaking up

FAMILY

44 Working for Families

45 Driving in New Zealand

MĀORI

04 Rohe – Tauranga, Rotorua and Taupō

46 Tikanga – Māori spiritual beliefs

48 Te Reo – Visiting Marae

SETTLEMENT SERVICES

50 Settlement services

51 Information for everyone

52 Local information for new migrants – CAB locations

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BROADCAST

2 LINKZ ISSUE 61

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

As the General Manager of Settlement, Protection and Attraction in Immigration New Zealand, my role is to ensure you have the right information to help you settle successfully and make a positive 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 help build New Zealand’s economy by contributing to our existing companies and industries – or by investing in or starting 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.

Each issue of LINKZ features one or more of New Zealand’s regions. This time we have interviews and information from the central North Island areas of Tauranga, Rotorua and Taupō, three of our most distinctive lifestyle destinations.

We do value your feedback, on this or any other aspect of settling successfully in New Zealand. If you have comments, please do take the time to let us know by email: settlementinformation@mbie.govt.nz

Many thanks and best wishes for your future here.

Steve McGill General Manager, Settlement, Protection and Attraction, Immigration New Zealand

Homestar helps us have healthier homes

A common topic of conversation among new migrants is how cold it gets in some New Zealand houses. The New Zealand Green Building Council offers some help with Homestar – a rating tool that can help make your home healthier and cheaper to run and reduce its environmental footprint.

There are two ways to use Homestar. First, you can fill out a 20-minute online questionnaire about your home and you will get a provisional rating between 1 and 10. You will also be given a list of ways to improve your home's performance, with the costs and the benefits. A Homestar professional can offer a full assessment if you’re planning a renovation or new build.

Visit: www.homestar.org.nz

BROADCAST

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Tauranga ELP is Provider of the Year

The Tauranga branch of English Language Partners New Zealand (ELP) has been named the 2015 Adult and Community Education Provider of the Year by the education network Adult and Community Education Aotearoa.

ELP is a non-profit organisation with 22 centres around New Zealand and around 2,300 trained volunteer ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) tutors.

Each year it teaches more than 7,000 English language learners, either through the one-to-one home tutor service or through group classes. ELP offers a free language service to refugees and migrants.

Tauranga branch manager Philippa Cairns described the award as a fantastic recognition of a huge amount of work.

Find out more about the work of English Language Providers on page 36.

Do you use Facebook?

Do you have an entertaining story about your experience as a migrant in New Zealand? If you do, please share it with us.

www.facebook.com/NewtoNewZealand

Switching places

Life Swap is a series of light-hearted short animated Skype conversations between two young men who swap cities: Jörg, 27, from Münster, Germany and Duncan, 27, from Wellington, New Zealand. They find that their cultures are full of unexpected differences.

Life Swap was created by Steffen Kreft and William Connor, and funded by the Goethe-Institut and New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

http://tinyurl.com/nzlifeswap

What are you doing for Labour Weekend?

Don't forget Labour Weekend will soon return. This is the first public holiday after winter in New Zealand. Monday October 26 is a public holiday – and if you do have to work you should be getting time off and/or extra wages.

To find out more visit: www.employment.govt.nz/publicholidays

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ROHE – TAURANGA, ROTORUA, TAUPŌ

Looking southeast over Rotoehu and Rotoma towards Putauaki (Mt. Edgecumbe)

Tauranga, Rotorua and TaupōThe coastal and inland waterways of Tauranga, Rotorua and Taupō have shared and unique histories.

Tauranga

Ngāti Ranginui, one of the two main tribes of Tauranga, descends from the ancestor Tamatea, the captain of the Tākitimu canoe which landed at the foot of Mauao (today Maunganui). Tamatea married three sisters from the Te Arawa Rotorua area. His youngest son, Ranginui, won control over the rich fishing grounds of Tauranga, founding the tribe now bearing his name.

Ngāi Te Rangi, the second of the Tauranga tribes, descends from the ancestor Te Rangihouriri, who led his people on an epic journey of much hardship around the East Coast and across the Bay of Plenty before the tribe, under his descendant Tamapāhore, secured a foothold at Tauranga.

Rotorua

The Te Arawa tribes of Lake Rotorua descend from the canoe of the same name,which was captained by Tama-te-kapua and navigated by Ngatoroirangi, and landed at Maketū in the Bay of Plenty. Several crew members, such as

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ROHE – TAURANGA, ROTORUA, TAUPŌ

Ihenga and Kahumatamomoe, who discovered and named Lake Rotorua, became famous inland explorers. Rangitihi, a later descendant of Tama-te-kapua, had eight children whose descendants became the important founders of the Te Arawa tribes, hence the name Ngā Pūmanawa e waru o Rangitihi (The Eight Pulsating Hearts of Rangitihi).

Taupō

Tūwharetoa are the main tribe around Lake Taupō. Their ancestor of the same name was the descendant of Ngātoroirangi. Mount Tongariro takes its name from Ngātoroirangi after he uttered “Kua riro au i te tonga” (I am being overcome by the southern wind). The tribes say that his ancestors sent fire from Hawaiki to warm him, hence the volcanic activity in this region. Tūwharetoa married four women and had 16 children. Over several generations they and their descendants gradually occupied and attained ascendancy at Lake Taupō. Around the time Europeans arrived in New Zealand, Tūwharetoa established the Te Heuheu dynasty of hereditary chiefs, which is now one of the two longest continuing hereditary leaderships in Māoridom, alongside the Kingitanga in the Waikato.

Troubled times

Colonisation had a significant impact on the Tauranga, Rotorua and Taupō regions. Despite different strategies, each of the tribes lost control of much of their lands and waterways. Ngāti Ranginui and some Ngāi Te Rangi supported tribes fighting against the British colonial government during the 1860s Land Wars. The British, who invaded Tauranga to

punish the tribes, suffered a heavy defeat at the Battle of Gate Pā, before inflicting severe losses on the tribes at Te Ranga and confiscating large tracts of land.

Te Arawa remained largely neutral through these turbulent times, although they assisted the government in fighting against other tribes, most notably in the Urewera Forest. The Te Arawa tribes leased land to the Pākehā for the building of Rotorua in the 1880s. Unfortunately, the government took that land without proper payment. Tūwharetoa officially remained neutral although many of the tribe fought in other areas. The tribe also housed refugees from other tribes. Horonuku Te Heuheu Tūkino gifted the peaks of Ruapehu, Ngāuruhoe and Tongariro to the government, and today these form the centrepiece of Tongariro National Park. Both Te Arawa and Tūwharetoa lost much land to forest and hydroelectric development, and lost control of their resource-rich lakes.

The tribes today

Many of these injustices have been settled under Treaty of Waitangi claims. Today the Māori people of Tauranga, Rotorua and Taupō play a prominent role in the tourism and cultural life of their regions and they stand at the forefront of efforts to preserve and restore forests, waterways, lakes and coastal areas that have suffered damage through the commercialisation of the environment.▪

Taupō volcanic zone

Tauranga, Rotorua and Taupō all benefit from the geology of the Taupō volcanic zone. This has created a paradise of forest and mountains, of geothermal pools, streams and geysers, and of freshwater lakes and rivers, together with rich soils and an expansive harbour on the coast.

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I am delighted to welcome you to the Bay of Plenty region and to the thriving city of Tauranga.Ours is a vibrant and welcoming city that embraces people from all cultural backgrounds. We celebrate our diversity and value the enormous social, cultural and economic contribution of our migrant communities – because we know that people of all backgrounds have helped create the rich, dynamic and exciting region we all enjoy today.

With our stunning natural assets and enviable lifestyle, it’s easy to see why Tauranga has long been an attractive destination for migration. As you get to know your way around, I encourage you to experience everything that makes Tauranga a truly great place to live.

Migration has shaped our past and present, and we look forward to shaping our future with you. I wish you all the very best for your life here in New Zealand.

Stuart Crosby Mayor of Tauranga

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TAURANGA

TAURANGATauranga regional and economic overviewStrategically located two-and-a-half hours south of Auckland, Tauranga is the most populous city in the Bay of Plenty.

People move here to take advantage of our enviable lifestyle and stunning natural assets. Tauranga offers quality schools, housing and jobs, along with world-class beaches, bush-clad mountains and beautiful rivers – all within minutes of the city centre. Our community enjoys

a lively events calendar, a thriving café and restaurant scene, and a diverse nightlife.

But Tauranga is so much more than a lifestyle destination. Our city has New Zealand’s fastest-growing economy, opportunities for skilled jobs and a strong labour market. This unprecedented growth is supported by a comprehensive infrastructure network, to ensure Tauranga is set up to make the most of this unique opportunity.

The Tauranga Central Business District showing the two bridges connecting to the main beaches at Mt. Maunganui.

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Ninety-nine per cent of our population will have access to ultrafast broadband by the end of 2015, making Tauranga New Zealand’s most digitally connected city. Plans are also underway for the Nautilus Technology Park, an 11,000m² facility that will support our rapidly growing ICT sector.

Our education sector makes Tauranga an attractive destination for local and international students. There are 60 schools in Tauranga, as well as the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Waikato and Canterbury Universities, and private training institutes. We are also developing a new tertiary precinct that will open in 2016.

Tauranga is in a world-class location that connects us regionally, nationally and internationally, with New Zealand’s largest export port supporting the booming horticultural, manufacturing and marine industries. Construction of a $10 million marine servicing facility will be completed by the end of 2016, supporting the regional industry and creating opportunities for economic development.

With all of that on top of an unmatched lifestyle in a striking natural setting, living in Tauranga has never been better. Why not see for yourself? ▪

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TAURANGA

Tauranga

Climate

Average daily maximum temperature range

14.5°–24°C

Average annual sunshine 2,346 hours

Average house price

JULY 2015

$489,734

Population

114,789

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EXPLORING NEW HORIZONS

Sharath Prakash and his wife Sam moved to New Zealand – and found a relaxed, outdoor life that suits them perfectly.

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TAURANGA

When Sharath Prakash first came to New Zealand from India, it was by chance rather than choice – but his professional satisfaction and family life meant the choice to stay was easy.

He and wife Sam work as doctors: Sam is a house officer and Sharath is a radiologist. Sharath finished his basic medical training in Bangalore in 2007 and wanted to train abroad, so an uncle working as a GP in Auckland told him about New Zealand.

“New Zealand seemed so exotic,” says Sharath. “I thought this would be a great opportunity to find out how things were and then take it from there.”

He came here on a visitor’s visa with his sister and travelled around the North Island, then returned to Auckland to do a pre-arranged, 15-day observership at Middlemore Hospital. “You interact with the patients and doctors, you see how they perform their duties, and you see if you can fit in,” Sharath explains.

“It’s not just about the medicine: I could see what New Zealanders are all about. I could talk to the patients, get an idea of their sense of humour, their way of expressing things.”

Sharath enjoyed the experience so much he decided to take the NZREX exams (two written tests and one practical exam), in order to practise in New Zealand. After passing, he wrote to all the DHBs (District Health Boards) enquiring about work.

“Tauranga was the first hospital that wrote back and they said, ‘You can start next week.’ So I took a bus, came here for an interview, and that’s how I came to be in Tauranga,” he says.

On a holiday back to India in 2011, mutual friends introduced Sharath to Bangalore-born Sam. They kept in touch when he returned to New Zealand, and after approximately a year they decided to have a “semi-arranged marriage”.

Sam knew she would need to move here, and luckily Sharath’s description of the outdoor lifestyle was attractive. “He told me what life will be like and he convinced me to come.”

Sam also took the NZREX exams so she could work here as a doctor. Once she passed, she also found a job at Tauranga Hospital.

Her transition was quite smooth. “I did expect quite a big change, but things have been really great so far for us both, in terms of our career

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and family life,” Sam says. “At the hospital, people have been welcoming.”

Coming from the hustle and bustle of Bangalore (population around 10 million people), Sharath had to adjust to Tauranga’s relative quiet.

“The shops would be dead by 6 o’clock here, which is when we would go out in India. Having said that, it was really calming and peaceful,” he says.

Instead, their evenings became filled with after-work drinks with colleagues, beach walks, and running or biking at the Mount (Mount Maunganui). “I would find it so amazing that you could finish work and go for a run or a nice swim in the sea. You could never imagine doing that in India, because you would get home only at 10pm after you finished work at about 8pm,” says Sharath.

Sam misses her friends in India, but has built up a social circle here – that often happens more quickly in small cities than in larger ones. “We go out for the night, or have pot-luck dinners [where everyone brings food to share] at home,” she explains.

Being away from her parents was difficult, too. “But now our parents have come here and stayed with us for a few months, things have gotten easier. They understand more about our lifestyle,” says Sam.

Sam’s mother was present when the couple’s daughter Inara was born in October 2014, but there’s no extended family here to help with childcare. Sam has just gone back to work, and they’ve put Inara into day-care.

“The teachers are all so friendly and Inara seems to love them as well. We want her to have the maximum interaction with other kids and I think that’s going to be a great thing for her,” says Sharath.

Sharath’s younger sister lives in the United States, so Sharath does think about who will take care of his parents when they get old.

“But they just want us to be happy, and I have to think about my daughter now as well. I definitely think New Zealand is a better place for her to grow up than India at the moment,” he says.

Sam advises other medical professionals to do their research and be prepared for the exams if they want to work here. “Make sure there are job opportunities here for your skill. I highly recommend New Zealand to anyone –we absolutely love it here.”

Sharath agrees, saying it’s easier to manage the stress of medicine when you have time to enjoy your family and hobbies. “In that way, Tauranga is amazing. You can have a stroll by the beach and feel like you’re on holiday while you’re still at work.”▪

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TAURANGA

Letham White has no doubt that, done properly, meeting a staffing challenge by hiring skilled migrants is an effective option that can enhance the workplace with unique benefits.

As Chief Financial Officer and General Manager of Corporate Services, Letham makes sure the Bay of Plenty District Health Board’s recruitment process gives priority to New Zealanders. However where suitable New Zealand talent cannot be found, they will look at hiring skilled migrants.

“Migrants bring the uniqueness of their different experiences with them to the workplace,” he says. “This adds character and diversity, and encourages staff, patients and visitors to see new perspectives.”

Letham says the recruitment and induction process for new migrants follows the standard steps – selection, interviews and induction. “However, you do need to be prepared to invest a greater level of time and resource in the early phase of the appointment, to ensure a good outcome for both parties.”

Medical Staffing Unit Coordinator Jan Simeon, who helps organise new staff, says the support the DHB offers depends on the individual and their circumstances. “If they are arriving with a partner and dependents, we’ll provide pre-arrival, childcare, schooling and housing information, as well as often scanning through supermarket pamphlets or local news snippets for items of interest.”

Adding character and diversity Skilled migrants can enhance the workplace with unique benefits.

Before beginning the job proper, the migrant is put through a tailored orientation programme. This informs them about the workplace processes, systems and legislation, including health and safety. Where possible, they will also work alongside another staff member for a few days to increase their confidence.

“We also believe it is important to provide good buddy networks on arrival – particularly for partners who could potentially become isolated in a new community,” says Jan.

The DHB will also offer additional support to help migrants connect with the community, by, for example, providing contacts and locations of schools and churches.

Jan says the rewards for employers of skilled migrant workers can be immense, and provided good practice is followed, the gains will outweigh the extra time and effort it takes to find and establish a new migrant worker completely in their new role here in New Zealand.▪

Letham White

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TAURANGA

Hamilton’s cold, damp winter weather “made me so depressed”, says Candy, so while waiting for exams one term, she moved back to Tauranga for a month. A friend arranged for her to stay with a friend, Lorry, who owned a motel – and afterwards Lorry offered her a job at a motel he was buying.

She took on the work while studying and, after graduating in 2005, applied for a work visa. It was a long, stressful process – motel manager isn’t usually on Immigration New Zealand’s Skills Shortage List, but Candy had become involved with the local motel association and built a network of supporters who backed her residency application.

Next, with Peter’s agreement, she brought over her 10-year-old daughter Renay for a more balanced education and lifestyle. Renay walked into Tauranga Primary School without understanding any English, but settled in with help from a teacher’s aide and a couple of good friends.

“After a year here, when I went to the parents’ interview, her teacher said she often forgot that Renay's first language was Chinese,” says Candy. “After two years, I talked to her in Chinese and she’d speak back to me in English.”

When Renay was 16, she lived in the Netherlands for a year as an exchange student, and already knowing two languages helped her succeed there.

“Within a couple of months’ time she fitted in and started to talk in Dutch. When she finished her year at school, she was in the top 15 per cent in the whole country,” says Candy proudly.

Candy continued to give back to the community that supported and welcomed her. When China hosted the Olympics in 2008, the then-president of Tauranga Regional Multicultural Council asked Candy to organise a small Chinese festival. It was a success, and led to an unexpected opportunity.

While talking with Shane Southby from ANZ about sponsorship, Candy was offered a job as a personal banker. She left the motel and took that job in 2010, helping local Chinese with their banking.

Candy also organised seminars for the Chinese community on tax and law matters, and noticed more migrant businesspeople were choosing to live in Tauranga. So last year she and two others formed the Bay of Plenty Chinese Business and Commerce Association, to help connect Chinese businesspeople with the area and help them understand the Kiwi approach to business.

“Lots of Chinese are still using the old way, the Chinese way of operating their business – they're working so hard, starting early morning and finishing late at night, not having a life. I wanted to help them realise there are ways to make their lives better and easier,” explains Candy.

The association regularly hosts seminars, networking and social activities, and the occasional cultural event. Candy also hopes the association will act as a bridge, for Chinese wanting to invest here or Kiwis wanting advice on doing business in China.

Many migrant families make sacrifices in order to build a new life. Candy and Peter spent most of 2002-2007 apart, only reuniting a few times a year so Peter could continue his business in China. Peter joined his family here in 2008.

The hard work is paying off. Recently Candy became a business banker, and finally has time to enjoy life. She and Peter go hiking on weekends; Peter enjoys his job with a cargo-handling company at the Port of Tauranga; Renay is in her second year at university.

“It's getting better and better, we’re really enjoying it and we are so lucky that we are here,” says Candy. “We so appreciate this opportunity and we want to make other peoples’ lives easier, to help them settle too.”▪

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Haere mai ki Rotorua.Welcome to our wonderful lakes district, the heart of tourism and Māori culture, a place that has welcomed people from around the world for more than a century.

Known around the world as a great place to visit, Rotorua is also a fantastic place to live, work and do business and right now, we are experiencing a renaissance.

We are on a journey to create a great future for our district, a journey which is being driven by the community, working alongside the council. Together, we are transforming the district, working towards a shared long-term vision and we welcome you here to be part of it.

Many people who live here were once visitors – they came, they enjoyed their experiences and the hospitality, they returned and eventually, they moved here.

We know where we are headed and welcome others keen to join us.

Tātau tātau – We together.

Steve Chadwick Mayor of Rotorua

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ROTORUA

TRULY UNIQUERotorua regional and economic overviewRotorua is a truly unique place – known for its geothermal wonders and lakes, for its Māori culture and for its manaakitanga, or hospitality.

We do things a bit differently in Rotorua – we call it “Rotorua Inc”. When opportunities arise, everybody pitches in and we make it happen.

It’s a roll-up-your-sleeves attitude that stands us in good stead in many different ways. It’s a big part of our growing reputation as a great place

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for events and it’s playing an integral role in our ongoing transformation.

The local pastime of mountain biking has become central to the local economy and that’s thanks to the passion of local riders who have made it happen. They are responsible for the creation – and ongoing maintenance – of a now world-renowned wonderland of seemingly endless forest trails for the variety of thriving businesses that have emerged as a result.

Our district’s other traditional economic contributors, such as forestry and farming, remain integral to our local economy, as do our many and varied tourist attractions, which are continually looking to add to what they offer, ensuring we remain a destination of choice for both New Zealanders and overseas tourists.

The birthplace of tourism in New Zealand, Rotorua is also a place where Māori culture permeates many aspects of people’s lives, and our central location means snow skiing, beaches and major metropolitan centres like Auckland aren’t far away.

As a place to live, Rotorua has much to offer, with a wide variety of affordable housing, good schools and a great lifestyle.

Rotorua is enjoying a period of positive change and progress. Job listings are on the increase, retailers are optimistic, developers are investing in our district and our inner city’s transformation continues – all part of achieving the goals which have been set by the local council, in partnership with the community.

Among our recent accolades are being named one of New Zealand’s “10 Hottest Boom Spots” by NZ Property Investor magazine, and our Redwoods forest trails were named New Zealand’s favourite place to cycle in Bike Wise’s annual nationwide poll.

We’re a district on the up and on the move, a place with renewed energy and vibrancy, welcoming new ideas, new thinking, new connections and new investment.

Find out more at rotoruanz.com.▪

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ROTORUA

The idea of ‘Yarn-bombing’ trees with hand-made yarn pieces suggests

creativity is alive and well in Rotorua.

Rotorua

Climate

Average daily maximum temperature range

12°–23°C

Average annual sunshine 2,128 hours

Average house price

JULY 2015

$271,414

Population

65,280

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OUTWARD BOUNDUnexpected hobbies and a social, outdoor lifestyle have helped Morgane Le Brun and Etienne Buscarlet feel at home in Rotorua.

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ROTORUA

When Morgane Le Brun moved to Rotorua from Brittany, France, she made a conscious decision to live in a small city.

“I was keen to have an experience with less people around, to share strong relationships with people,” she explains.

This wasn’t her first time in New Zealand – Morgane had completed a four-month internship in Taupō in 2008 as a geology student. After working for three years back in France, a permanent job came up here and she realised she wanted to come back.

“It was a bit cold and there were lots of sandflies in some places, but there’s also some really nice people, amazing outdoors, and quite a balance between personal life and work life,” Morgane says.

When she got a job offer in September 2011, she had been with her partner Etienne Buscarlet for two years. He says she made the choice quite easy for him, saying, “Either stay lonely in France or come with me to New Zealand,’” he laughs. But he was excited about the move too.

Morgane arrived on a working visa in early 2012 and her employer hired a company to manage Etienne’s partner visa, which was granted after two months. They’re now both residents.

Morgane works for electricity company Mighty River Power as a reservoir engineer in the geoscience division, monitoring geothermal resources deep underground that will produce electricity. The company helped her settle in by arranging a rental car and accommodation for a month, and by providing a furniture allowance. Her new workmates were also welcoming.

“People were used to having people from other parts of the world, so right away they included me in some activities, going for beer or coffee. And maybe it helps that we work in an open-plan environment,” she says.

Working in a different country is challenging when English is your second language. “I thought I could handle that by myself here, but now I realise having someone, my partner, to really talk to in your language is quite important,” Morgane explains.

When he arrived, Etienne quickly realised he would have to improve his English – so he signed up for English lessons with an agency. “I think it helped me just to gain a little bit of confidence,” he says. “I was not afraid to speak or to say, ‘Could you repeat that?’, and slowly but surely it was okay.”

He’d been working as a groundwater scientist, managing water for drinking or agriculture, and

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eventually found permanent work at Mighty River Power.

Part of Mighty River Power’s resettlement programme involves giving advice to migrants about combating isolation. Someone advised Morgane, “If you feel homesick, just try and connect as much as you can with other people. Go out in the community.”

It led Morgane to some unlikely new hobbies. She was curious about Māori culture, and a colleague introduced her to waka ama – where individuals or teams race in outrigger canoes.

Joining the waka ama club at Lake Rotoiti has been great for the couple’s fitness and social life. “You need to be all in time when you’re paddling, so it’s good to connect with people really strongly,” she says. “When there is a race, all the families come in and have a sausage sizzle, a laugh and share stories.”

Music is also important to Morgane, so she took up the bagpipes – a nod to both her Breton heritage and New Zealand’s links with Scotland.

“I thought it would be in my blood, coming from Brittany, and I would just pick up the bagpipes like that, but it was a bit more hard work than what I expected,” she laughs.

Now she travels with Rotorua’s bagpipe band to competitions, and practises in the band hall or in Whakarewarewa Forest, also known as the

Redwoods. “There’s usually some mountain bikers or walkers passing through on the tracks, so they sometimes stop and listen, and clap at the end.”

Morgane finds Skype is vital for keeping up connections with family and friends in France. “If  you are out of sight, people sometimes forget you a little bit, so it’s about letting go of some relationships because the distance is making that happen,” she says.

France's lifestyle and its reputation for good food often prompts people to ask Etienne, “Why have you left? France is the perfect place to live.” But Etienne says they find very good food here, and this lifestyle suits him too.

“We used to have long evenings with friends, eating and drinking, and slept in on the weekends. Here you go to bed early because you want to wake up the next day to enjoy the outdoors,” he says. “It’s just the question of perspective.”

Morgane and Etienne have been here for 3.5 years, longer than they’d planned, and they’re wondering what they’ll do next. Morgane still feels attached to Brittany, “though we feel quite at home here too. Your heart is in between two countries.”

So what does she think they’ll do?

“I think we are going to stay a bit longer in New Zealand.”▪

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ROTORUA

Attracting migrants to New Zealand isn’t always as easy as expected. When he was searching for three new geothermal engineers in 2011 and there were no suitably skilled applicants in the New Zealand market, Mike Barnes found he had to alter the way he assessed the migrant applicants.

As reservoir engineering manager at electricity company Mighty River Power, Mike looks to hire people with experience in geothermal engineering – but in 2011, he found it difficult to entice these people to New Zealand. So he decided to “talk to people who have a real interest in renewable energy, and are interested in New Zealand as a country”.

Geologist Morgane Le Brun was one of those people, and Mike interviewed her over the phone.

“By looking overseas we had a great opportunity to recruit people who are knowledgeable and passionate about renewable energy, as well as being interested in moving here and experiencing

Changing tackMaking successful migrant hires in a specialised area sometimes requires a dose of lateral thinking.

our lifestyle,” Mike says. “We developed a robust screening process by phone to ensure we are recruiting the right type of people and it has proved very successful.”

Hiring a migrant involves supporting them via email and phone through “a lot of immigration paperwork”, connecting them with a “buddy” once they’ve arrived for extra advice – and helping them realise “no matter what country they come from, there will be differences that they’re going to have to accept”, says Mike.

Migrants may imagine all New Zealand cities are like Auckland – but cities like Rotorua are much more rural. “Some people are enticed by that difference, and we have some great additions to our team.”

Hiring migrants is worth the effort. “You get people with a different level of dedication,” says Mike. “They come in with a real thirst to learn their job and contribute, and also to understand the country and look at it as a place they want to live permanently.”▪

Mike Barnes

ROTORUA

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TWO HEARTS AND A NEW START

Reuniting in New Zealand gave long-distance sweethearts Gabriel Morales and Carla Garcia the chance to realise their dreams.

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ROTORUA

When Gabriel Morales and Carla Garcia decided they wanted to live together, they chose to begin their dream in New Zealand.

Gabriel, from Brazil, and Carla, from Argentina, have been friends since they met on a beach in Brazil in 2001 – though they lived in different countries. In 2005 Gabriel decided to move from the United States.

“I was living in Los Angeles, a very busy place, and I felt that I needed space, like I need to be in nature,” he says. A friend told him about New Zealand, so Gabriel used the internet for research and talked to people who had lived here. The feedback was excellent, so he “decided to give it a shot” and moved in 2005.

Because his English “was not the greatest back then”, Gabriel retrained and used his new qualification to help him immigrate. In Brazil he graduated as a massage therapist. He then came here on a working holiday visa and got a job at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (now QE Health) in Rotorua. The hospital sponsored him for a work visa, and now he’s a citizen.

Carla had lived in Spain from 2005 to 2012, and the couple’s long-distance relationship began in

2011 when Gabriel visited Europe. After several months, she decided to come to New Zealand.

“It was one of the most important decisions for me because I already had a life developed in Spain. I had my own business and friends,” Carla says.

She arrived in 2012 on a visitor’s visa and applied for a partnership visa soon after. When that was granted, she didn’t even go back to Spain to pack up her life there. “I said goodbye to my friends via Skype and emails. It was a very big surprise for everyone,” she says.

Meanwhile, Gabriel was ready for another change. After going to police college in 2012, he began working for New Zealand Police as an authorised officer. This isn’t a front-line job – Gabriel works in custodial management, processing new arrests and escorting prisoners around Rotorua.

He says it’s a challenging job. “You work with people who have lost their freedom and are going through a very stressful situation. But at the same time it is a very rewarding job because we prevent crime and keep people safe. I feel that my contribution does count.”

Carla faced her own challenges while settling in, especially speaking English in everyday

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life. To meet new people and contribute to the community, she worked as a relief teacher in a day-care centre and also volunteered for Rotorua Hospice as a graphic designer.

“It was one of the best experiences I ever had. I created a campaign to help people who really need help,” Carla explains. That graphic design work also led to paid freelance work.

Gabriel also decided to realise a long-held dream and set up a sports management company. He and Carla run Toro Sports Management, representing rugby players and clubs in New Zealand and overseas, and bringing South American players here to learn new skills and become professional.

Gabriel’s father managed football players in South America and Europe, so Gabriel learned about the industry by working with him in the 1990s. He also studied basic commercial law through the Open Polytechnic, to learn about contracts.

While setting up the business, “I worked 40 hours a week with the police and another 15 hours with our business, so it does put a lot of pressure on us. What does help is the fact that we have beautiful surroundings here, and it is quite easy to disconnect,” Gabriel says.

Gabriel still works 40 hours a week for the police, and Carla works part time on their business, using

her advertising and marketing skills. She also works as a relief teacher at a local kindergarten.

They live in a large house alongside Whakarewarewa Forest, known as the Redwoods. “Houses are very affordable in Rotorua,” says Gabriel. Both enjoy many outdoor activities.

Carla also goes to hula fitness classes and meets up with friends, including a Spanish-speaking group she calls the “Latin Girls”. She became a resident in 2014, and is keen to open other offices for their business in the next five years.

Though Gabriel enjoyed living in Auckland when he first arrived here, he’s happy at the thought of staying in Rotorua.

“Living in a small city like Rotorua, 80,000 people, you do miss the social activities that you find in a big city. I don’t think U2 would be coming to Rotorua any time soon!” he laughs. “But that’s not a major problem because we are only 2.5 hours from Auckland.”

For those thinking about moving here, Gabriel advises doing lots of research, and even travelling around the North and South islands to get a feel for which areas you like the most. “If you want to be in a safe environment and grow a family, or start a business, this place might be for you,” he says.▪

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ROTORUA

The police force is a great place to work if you’re a migrant, reckons Senior Sergeant Bill Fisher of Rotorua Police.

“Police deal with such a diverse range of people, they’re generally tolerant of people’s differences and attitudes,” he says.

“But they don’t suffer fools. They expect people to step up to the mark more quickly than other industries, and that can put pressure on a migrant who might already be finding it difficult.”

When Gabriel Morales joined the Rotorua Police, it was as an authorised officer (AO), processing new arrests and escorting prisoners around Rotorua. He had completed the 16-week training course at Police College but, as sometimes happens with migrants, he didn’t pass the final test because he needed to improve his English skills.

So Rotorua’s district commander offered him a job as an AO, which meant Gabriel could improve his English in the police world and take the test again later if he wanted. There are also migrants from the Solomon Islands and India in the Rotorua office, and helping them adjust to Kiwi English is a matter of “coaching them through – it just takes time”, says Bill.

“On the other hand, Gabriel speaks very quickly sometimes, and that’s tricky because through intercom systems, speech can be more difficult to discern.”

The people behind the policeIt helps to have a diverse workforce when you’re dealing with a community of different cultures.

There’s no official process for extra support for migrants – it’s just something they keep an eye on, Bill says. “It’s about being aware of where Gabriel’s at and getting him, and other migrants, alongside people who can support them.”

Having a range of cultures in a police station has its advantages. “We deal with a lot of immigrants in the process of being deported, in custody or as victims. Gabriel and others can help there,” says Bill.

“Also, Gabriel’s a great coffee maker. He brings in his own beans, and sometimes a bit of baking that’s slightly different – like the chilli brownie! He interacts really well and has immersed himself in the local Māori culture too. He does put the effort in, and it’s recognised.”▪

Gabriel talks logistics with fellow Authorised Officer Mark Enright.

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Welcome to Taupō.The Taupō District is the kind of place you can see once and never forget. With our expansive lakes, mountain views, bustling town centres and vibrant communities, I am proud to call this district home and glad to see it expanding.

For a district with a relatively small population, we certainly have a lot to offer. It is the faces and places that make our district special, and we are keen to have you here – becoming a part of that.

The lifestyle we have here is second to none. Nature’s playground is at our doorstep, we host a huge number of exciting events – and all this in a place with only one set of traffic lights! Here we offer people an affordable lifestyle, with great work and life balance. There are plenty of great reasons the tourism sector here is thriving – everyone wants to visit.

The Taupō District is a great place to call home and we welcome those who want to make it theirs.

David Trewavas JP Mayor of Taupō

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TAUPŌ

TAUPŌTaupō regional and economic overviewLake Taupō, surrounded by beautiful forests, volcanic mountains and, in the winter months, snowy peaks, is an amazing place to live, work and play!

Located in the central North Island, the Taupō District is undoubtedly one of the world’s most unique and picturesque areas.

As a popular tourist destination, the area boasts the largest freshwater lake in Australasia and its mountains, which lie within a dual World

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Heritage national park, are famous internationally for featuring in The Lord of the Rings films.

This active volcanic and geothermal region is a sporting and natural paradise. At the heart of it all is water. There are lots of activities centred in and around the lake and the many rivers and

tributaries that feed into it. Activities such as world-class trout fishing, scenic cruises, kayaking, sailing and summertime swimming are popular with locals and visitors alike. Taupō also boasts New Zealand's most-visited natural attraction, the mighty Huka Falls.

Taupō’s central location and natural amenities have helped make it The Events Capital of New Zealand. The annual Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge sees thousands of cyclists circumnavigate the lake – and the start transforms Tongariro Street.

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TAUPŌ

Taupō

Climate

Average daily maximum temperature range

11°–23°C

Average annual sunshine 1,951 hours

Average house price

JULY 2015

$347,652

The Taupō District is an adventure lover’s playground with adrenaline-pumping activities such as jet boating, kayaking, white water rafting, sky-diving, motor racing, cycling, bungy jumping and skiing. The ski season usually runs from July to October, but snow can come as early as June and, if conditions are suitable, can last till late November.

Taupō also caters to those looking for relaxation. The picturesque backdrop of the lake is perfect for a stroll or a picnic. The town also offers boutique shopping and gourmet cafés with stunning mountain and lake views. Visitors can soak in a hot pool or get pampered with a thermal-water beauty treatment.

Lake Taupō also has a rich cultural and ecological history. ▪

Population

32,418

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NEW LIFE, NEW PACE Being open to opportunity can change your life –

as Neil Parinas and his family found when they moved from the Philippines to New Zealand.

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TAUPŌ

Neil Parinas is no stranger to starting a new life in another country – born and educated in the Philippines, he worked in Saudi Arabia and Dubai as a structural engineer from 2001 to 2009.

After transferring back to the Philippines and reuniting with his wife Loida, Neil worked there for a few years, but eventually wanted to escape the traffic and the heat. In 2013 he was considering a promotion that would have meant returning to Dubai, when a Wellington-based friend suggested working in Taupō.

“I couldn’t see any problem with migrating to another country, because I can easily adapt to wherever I want to go,” says Neil. Loida felt the same, and they agreed getting a Western education was better for their children’s future.

“Education in the Philippines is comparable in quality, but the recognition of it overseas is different,” Neil explains.

He gained international accreditation through overseas industry bodies ASEAN and APEC, so his work is recognised in New Zealand. He encourages other Filipino engineers to do the same if they want to settle here. Now Neil works

as a senior structural engineer, focusing on earthquake assessment and designing residential and commercial buildings, and is a member of the Institute of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ).

Still, it took a while to get a job – Neil found many employers wanted to hire a person with local experience. A contact told him about a job at civil and structural engineering company DBCon, and Neil got the job after a Skype interview.

He arrived on a work visa in June 2013. Boss Derek picked him up from the bus terminal and provided accommodation for six weeks so Neil could look for a family home. The climate took a little getting used to.

“I survived the winter!” he laughs. “I haven’t been in cold weather like that before.”

Neil applied for a resident visa while Loida arranged the family’s move here. “I told my wife this is a very nice place: the nature, the lake, the mountains, everything is beautiful. It’s also quiet compared to the city where we used to live, so they were excited about coming here.”

The couple and their three children were reunited in October 2013, and a fourth child was born in October 2014. The older children are now 13, 10

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and 8 years old, and everyone feels accepted here.

“We have a big Filipino community, our neighbours are very accommodating and friendly, plus my co-workers treat us like a family. We feel well settled here,” says Neil.

Their church also provides plenty of social opportunities.

“We have Christmas parties and attend parades. We have a choir for Filipino people in the church. We call it the Taupō Tawagawit and we do mass service singing. My eldest son plays the piano in the church and my wife is part of the choir.”

Taupō’s small size was a change from the mega-cities Neil has lived in before.

“New Zealand is a well-developed country, but there are very limited shops around here – only a few restaurants or clothing boutiques compared to Dubai or in the Philippines.”

Still this change has benefits. “I’d rather stay here in a small city or a small district, where I can enjoy the peaceful life, no traffic, and find more time for my family.”

Professionally, Neil’s projects are also different. “Most of the projects we deal with are small projects, mostly residential,” he says – in the Middle East, he worked on super-tall buildings (more than 300 metres high).

He’s found flexibility in DBCon’s working environment. “We prioritise our family and we can do our work at home, so it’s not very stressful. Here I have peace of mind in terms of work and living compared to my previous transfer – I ended up sick because of too much work.

“In New Zealand I have more time for my family, so that makes our lives much happier,” Neil adds. “We usually go to the park, go to the lake, enjoy the sunny weather.”

Naturally, the salaries offered in Taupō are lower than in large overseas cities, but a better lifestyle is the payoff.

“When I came here, I told myself that I needed to be content with what I have here in terms of money. As long as I could provide for my family, then that would be okay.”

Neil and Loida are saving money and hope to buy their own house in the next two years. “We are working hard to reach that goal, and once we get that I think we could finally say this is our home.”

Taupō is a pretty good place to raise a family, Neil reckons. It took him four hours every day to travel to and from his Philippines office.

“I ended up exhausted when I got home, so I didn't have time to spend with my family,” he says. “The best thing living here in Taupō is that I can go home for lunch and play with my baby.”▪

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TAUPŌ

Opening his door to employees from other countries has helped Derek Booth make the most of New Zealand’s current construction boom.

Derek is the managing director of DBCon, an engineering consultancy based in Taupō. Established around 30 years ago, the company offers civil and structural engineering services and has grown to employ 20 staff, including eight engineers.

“There’s lots of work out there, so if we can get more good engineers then we can do that work,” says Derek.

Almost all of his employees are migrants: most were already studying in New Zealand, so Derek has only hired two people directly from other countries. One of those was Neil.

Interviewing via Skype is an essential part of the screening process, says Derek. “I feel people are much better at talking to somebody face-to-face than just hearing a voice, and you get a lot more out of it.”

In engineering, there’s an international standard called the Washington Accord. If a degree complies with the accord, it’s on a par with engineering degrees here, which helps when assessing skills. Derek always examines work samples from prospective employees, too.

Hiring a new migrant involves an investment of time and training in the early

Migrants fuel business growthWhen a particular industry experiences sharp growth, migrants can help companies capitalise on opportunities.

stages, from helping migrants polish their English skills to learning new processes. “There's a period of months where you need to be virtually sitting beside them, because everything is so different. You'd have the same issue with anybody new, but it's more pronounced with an immigrant,” says Derek.

The commercial culture is often different to engineering firms overseas, Derek explains. “We allow several months for people to get up to speed, but we're a small business, so every engineer has to make money every month. If you've come from a huge organisation of 300-400 engineers to us with eight engineers, that's quite different.”

Despite these considerations, Derek feels it’s still worth hiring migrants. “We've had some really good results. And we need people, we've got to have people.”▪

Derek Booth (left) with Neil Parinas

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COMMUNICATION

Improving your EnglishThe biggest challenge for immigrants in settling into New Zealand society is often the English language.

Whether you're a recent arrival wanting to improve your language skills for the workplace, or a stay-at-home parent who has been in the country for years but has never had the chance to learn basic English, English Language Partners (ELP) can help.

With 23 branches around the country, ELP is New Zealand’s largest settlement support agency for refugees and migrants. Every year, over 7,000 learners are given free assistance, with many receiving visits from trained volunteer tutors for one-to-one lessons in their own homes, and others attending group classes taught by professional teachers.

Classes cover basic grammar and pronunciation, social English and English for the workplace. Some centres may offer other courses as well. For instance, ELP Rotorua, based in the Rotorua Arts Village, has recently run a 20-week course in creative writing for non-native speakers. “It was the brainchild of one of my tutors, who thought it would be awesome if learners could write their own story,” says centre manager Anna Hayes. “Everybody has their own story, and they’re all different, but the fundamental thing is that everyone needs English to communicate effectively. In order to access health care, or to support their children through the school system, or for work, or whatever. It’s about helping people gain the confidence to participate in society."

ELP Taupō manager Claire Gray agrees wholeheartedly. ”Our core business is providing English lessons, but the heart and soul of the organisation is helping people integrate, get into jobs, function in society. We'll try to answer any questions they have. I don't mind being a hub for migrants and refugees. Taupō has a huge support network – it's just knowing who to go to.”

Gray notes that the Taupō office can be a little challenging to find at first. “We're in the Waiora House complex at 129 Spa Road, which is a pretty big place – you just need to know that we're in the Tauhara wing.” The office is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with classes held on Tuesdays.

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ELP Tauranga is the organisation's largest centre in the region, open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. Manager Philippa Cairns estimates that the centre currently deals with learners speaking 26 different languages. "We have a large Punjabi Indian community in Tauranga. After that, probably Chinese and then Koreans would be our largest local populations, but it's very diverse.”

The centre has recently become one of a handful around the country able to offer full-time classes, working towards the NZQA certificate in English language, level one. “That qualification really means something, it's a

national certificate. We ran the intensive classes for the first time last year, and they've been very effective.” Everything they do, Cairns says, is about helping people become more confident and more independent.

“Our brief is language for effective settlement. If someone who's been here 15 years still doesn't have good English, you could argue that they're still not independent. It might be a stay-at-home mum who's been doing that for 15 years, but now wants to get into work, or take part in community activities. We want people to be really getting the best out of being in New Zealand.”▪

English language assistance from Rotorua, Taupō and Tauranga. Left to right: Anna Hayes, Claire Gray and Philippa Cairns.

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COMMUNICATION

Professional Speaking for MigrantsHow can you improve your chances of finding work in New Zealand, when English is not your first language?

Applying for a job is always a challenge, and if English is not your first language and you do not have New Zealand work experience, it is more challenging still.

This is where the Professional Speaking for Migrants course developed by Speech New Zealand can help.

Dr Margriet Theron of Rotorua has been an economist, a researcher, a policy leader, and an education management specialist. But the most rewarding job she has had, she says, is teaching Professional Speaking for Migrants. It changes lives. “To see a student go from pumping petrol to being a clinical prosthetist; from doing voluntary work to owning a successful business; from working at the minimum wage to studying to become an early childhood educator, is wonderfully satisfying.”

A migrant herself (she arrived in New Zealand in 1978 with Afrikaans as her first language), Dr Theron developed Professional Speaking for Migrants by working within the course requirements for Speech New Zealand's Professional Speaking qualification.

As part of the Professional Speaking for Migrants course, students role-play job interviews, deliver seven-minute presentations about their work skills and experience, and introduce a guest speaker. The course teaches them how to speak with confidence and clarity about their careers, work experience, skills and community involvement. First held in Rotorua in 2011, the 10-week course has been run every year since.

In 2014, the Rotorua students were from the Philippines, Argentina, El Salvador, Germany, Sri Lanka, Korea, India, Fiji, China, Brazil, Iran, Thailand, Peru and Japan. The course has also been fortunate in always having had Māori students – even though it is designed around the needs of migrants, the course is open to all. “When I teach students the pronunciation of Māori place names, and the value of whanau support during job interviews, the Māori students are there to say ‘Ae’,” says Dr Theron. “They also help me to explain the great impact that Māori cultural values have on New Zealand workplaces.”

The students are given every opportunity to practise their new skills. In 2014, when Speech New Zealand held its 50th anniversary celebration at Rotorua's Prince’s Gate Hotel, the students were invited to attend on the condition that they make small talk with the other guests.

Alexis LewGor, at left, with Dr Margriet Theron. Alexis is

the President of the Rotorua Multicultural Council and of the New Zealand Federation

of Multicultural Councils. She holds the Certificate

and Advanced Certificate in Professional Speaking, both

with distinction.

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Professional Speaking for Migrants is run over 10 weeks by the Rotorua Multicultural Council, with classes held from 6pm to 9pm, one night per week. Thanks to Tertiary Education Commission funding from the Mokoia Community Association, the course is free to participants. However, there is a fee for the Speech New Zealand examination, which is an integral part of the course. The Certificate in Professional Speaking and the Advanced Certificate in Professional Speaking are well-recognised and a good addition to a CV.

For more information email Margriet Theron: theronm@yahoo.com

Your local English Language Partners centre or Multicultural Council may be able to arrange a Professional Speaking for Migrants course if there is enough interest. You can find the contact details for both organisations online.

English Language Partners centres englishlanguage.org.nz

Multicultural Councils www.multiculturalnz.org.nz/councils

Taking the course – Rotorua and nationwideNo matter where you live in the country, there’s a course not too far away. Here’s where you can find out more.

The following organisations either offer or are planning to offer the Professional Speaking for Migrants course.

AUCKLAND

Auckland Regional Migrant Services www.settlement.org.nz

ROTORUA

Rotorua Multicultural Council www.multiculturalnz.org.nz

TARANAKI

English Language Partners Taranaki www.englishlanguage.org.nz/ new-plymouth

WELLINGTON

Upper Hutt Multicultural Council www.multiculturalnz.org.nz

NELSON

Nelson Multicultural Council www.nelsonmulticultural.co.nz

INVERCARGILL

Southland Multicultural Council in partnership with English Language Partners Southland www.englishlanguage.org.nz/invercargill

Around 12 students undertake the course each year, which finishes with an examination conducted by an accredited Speech New Zealand examiner. Friends, family and supporters are invited to the examination, and they are encouraged to question the candidates.

“When the examiner comes, everyone is on a high and there are celebrations afterwards,” says

Dr Theron. “Facebook buzzes with their joy in their newfound confidence and skills.” Success in the exam leads to either a Certificate in Professional Speaking or an Advanced Certificate in Professional Speaking. In 2014, seven of the 12 candidates received their qualifications with distinction.▪

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COMMUNICATION

Sandeep's story Professional Speaking for Migrants graduate Sandeep Uppal's career is going from strength to strength.

In the Wellington Limb Centre, New Zealand’s youngest clinical prosthetist, Sandeep Uppal, is getting ready to visit Lyon in France, where he will stand at the front of a lecture theatre to deliver a paper to the World Congress of International Prosthetics and Orthotics. This will be a major professional accomplishment, but Sandeep’s achievement is greater still.

A few years ago, he avoided expressing himself in English at all. “When I landed at Auckland Airport on the July 5, 2012, I was too scared to talk to the person who was waiting for me,” he remembers. Sandeep had come to New Zealand to study towards a Graduate Diploma in Infection Prevention at Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua.

In his native home of Sri Ganganagar in India’s northern province of Rajasthan, he had spent his primary and secondary school years speaking Hindi. It was only when he enrolled for a degree in prosthetics that the language of instruction switched to English, and even then the emphasis was on writing, not speaking. In New Zealand, Sandeep realised that if he wanted to achieve his career ambitions, or to have any chance of finding work, he needed speedily to improve his English and communication skills, and that on its own the Waiariki course was not going to be enough.

“To become a professional, you must be able to talk like a professional,” he says. He joined the public speaking group Toastmasters – he remembers his heart pounding when he first

stood up to speak – and won competitions for humorous and inspirational speeches, but it was the Professional Speaking for Migrants course from Speech New Zealand that really made the difference, he says.

After graduating from Waiariki, Sandeep found work on the night shift at a service station and began looking for work that matched his qualifications. His job search visa was going to run out after a year. It was here that one of his personal mentors, Thomas George, who knew Margriet Theron of Speech New Zealand, approached him. The Rotorua Multicultural Council was running the Professional Speaking for Migrants course. “Why don’t you enrol?” he asked.

In his fellow students – whose countries of origin included Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Spain and El Salvador – Sandeep found people like himself, and in Margriet he found someone who was always there to offer help and encouragement.

For his examination speech Sandeep delivered a talk about the science and practice of orthotics and prosthetics as if the audience were the students, parents and teachers at a high school careers evening. Not long afterwards, Sandeep was offered a position as a clinical prosthetist at the Wellington Limb Centre.

Around 4300 New Zealanders are amputees. Some have suffered traumatic injuries in car or motorbike accidents. Some have been born with limb deficiencies. Some have lost limbs to cancer. Some – a growing segment – have had amputations because of the nerve damage caused by diabetes. Their needs are served by a professional community of clinical prosthetists, prosthetic technicians and physiotherapists.

“To become a professional, you must be able to talk like a professional.”

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New Zealand does not offer degree-level qualifications for prosthetists, says Sean Gray, Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand Artificial Limb Service. “So the alternatives are to send New Zealanders overseas to become qualified or to recruit already-qualified people from overseas.”

One part of the job description is manufacturing prostheses, says Sean. “You could describe us as a low-volume, high-variability manufacturer. Every single artificial limb we make is different.” Another is working closely with the patients, understanding and adapting the approach according to the individual’s needs. A clinical prosthetist has to be able to communicate clearly, he says.

“Every patient has a different story, and the way we communicate with them is also very different,” says Sandeep. Some are happy and enthusiastic: they like to walk, they are excited to have a new limb. Some are not ready to accept what has

happened to them. “You need to counsel them and explain things, assure them that they will be fine, that they can trust you. You need to build a relationship.”

An adult patient might come to see Sandeep once every five years or so to have their prosthetic limb replaced; children and adolescents will see him more often. “That three-year-old child who came to see me today with a congenital deformity will come to see me in another year as he gets bigger.”

Sandeep stays in contact with Margriet and the students who did the Speech New Zealand course with him. Most are doing really well, he says.

He recommends Speech New Zealand’s courses and Toastmasters to all new migrants. “If you are going to adapt to a new country, you have to do things like this that will extend you. Kiwis like communication; they like interaction. Make the most of your opportunities.”▪

Sandeep works as a clinical prosthetist at the Wellington Limb Centre, and communication is a vital part of his job.

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COMMUNICATION

The confidence to stand up and talk If you want to become a better communicator, help is at hand.

Toastmasters is an international not-for-profit organisation with around 265 clubs in New Zealand.

Toastmasters teaches people to listen effectively, think on their feet and speak confidently, building communication, public speaking, and leadership skills. Its membership is broad, with a balance of women and men and a range of age groups and occupations.

“Some people will turn up to meetings in suits and others in jeans,” says Aucklander Neil Stichbury, who belongs to the Toast of Broadway Toastmasters club.

Many clubs are very multinational. Toast of Broadway's membership includes Chinese, Indian, European and native-born New Zealanders.

Every Toastmasters meeting is run according to an agenda. This will include planned speeches and impromptu speaking, where people can be called on to talk about a topic they do not know about beforehand. Neil describes the impromptu speaking as a “brilliant tool”.

“It really helps people with their social interactions, whether it is making friends, or talking with their family members, or establishing themselves in their working lives.”

Afterwards, the speakers are told what they did well and how they can improve. Learning how to listen carefully and give useful, positive feedback is another skill Toastmasters teaches.

The members take turns to organise and chair the meetings, which may be held weekly, fortnightly or monthly, depending on the club. People can work their way through a series of learning modules, and for anyone who wants more of a challenge, there are area, division and district contests, including speeches, impromptu speaking and evaluation.

Toastmasters also gives its members the opportunity to pick up leadership skills, such as teambuilding and project management. People often turn to Toastmasters as a way of advancing in their careers, whether chasing a promotion or finding a new job, says Neil. "When the job market gets tight, our membership tends to grow."

As well as open-to-all community Toastmasters clubs, there are corporate clubs that are based with particular employers. There are also clubs that are open to people who have achieved a certain level of speaking skill within Toastmasters.

In Auckland, there are Toastmasters clubs for Filipinos (Filipino NZ Toastmasters Club in Birkenhead on Auckland's North Shore and JFCM

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COMMUNICATION

Since coming to New Zealand as a skilled migrant from the Philippines in 2005, Matilde has been interested in promoting cultural diversity and helping the members of her region's migrant communities, particularly Filipinos. This is what led her to help form the Society for South East Asian Communities and also, in a way, what led her to join Toastmasters.

On the first anniversary of the founding of the society, Matilde spoke in front of an audience that featured a number of officials and several ambassadors. It did not go well, she remembers. She spoke for too long and what she said was poorly structured. “I burbled.”

So in 2013 she did something she had been thinking about for a number of years: she joined Toastmasters.

She is now confident in her abilities. “If I have a 20-minute presentation I know how many visual aids I will need. If someone needs a five to seven-minute speech, I know how many words. I can put together an introduction that will capture an audience and an ending that will summarise what was said and leave people thinking.”

She has also become better at listening and delivering feedback, and Toastmasters

Speaking upMatilde Tayawa-Figuracion regularly uses skills she has learned at Toastmasters. She recommends it to everyone.

has taught her more about leadership. She is currently the vice-president for membership of Capital Toastmasters and plans to one day stand for club president.

In her job with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, her communication skills are in constant use. One of her projects involves helping to bring together a multi-agency project team and delivering seminars and workshops.

Like many Toastmasters clubs, Capital Toastmasters is very multicultural, and it welcomes new members.

Matilde says Filipino migrants, who are naturally shy about expressing themselves in what is their second language, find Toastmasters particularly rewarding.

“I encourage my friends to join Toastmasters, and I have told my club that at some point I would like to form a Filipino chapter, maybe focusing on youth leadership.”▪

NZ Filipino Toastmasters in Onehunga) and for Mandarin speakers (CLN Bilingual Toastmasters in Central Auckland), while Pacific Toastmasters in Mangere includes a Samoan cultural element.▪

To find a Toastmasters club near you, check out www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club

Matilde Tayawa-Figuracion with her Capital Toastmasters Club Trophy for 2014 Toastmaster of the Year.

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FAMILY

Working for FamiliesWorking for Families is a package of tax credits and childcare and housing assistance run by Inland Revenue and Work and Income. So how does it operate?

Working for Families is a package designed to make it easier to work and raise a family. Thousands of people have been helped by Working for Families.

Who is this for?

ȓ Most families earning under $70,000 a year.

ȓ Many families earning between $70,000 and $100,000 a year.

ȓ Some larger families earning more.

ȓ Some people without children may qualify for help with housing costs.

Help with family costs

Working for Families Tax Credits – provide financial help for families with children aged 18 or under.

To be eligible for Working for Families Tax Credits you must meet at least one of two residency requirements:

ȓ You are a New Zealand resident who has been in New Zealand continuously for at least 12 months at any time.

ȓ The child you are claiming for is a New Zealand resident who is present in the country.

Working for Families Tax Credits are paid by Inland Revenue and include several different types of payments:

ȓ Family tax credit.

ȓ In-work tax credit (for families working a minimum number of hours).

ȓ Minimum family tax credit (to ensure a minimum income for working families).

ȓ Parental tax credit.

Families may qualify for one or more of these payments depending on their circumstances.

Work and Income generally pays family tax credits to families receiving a benefit.

Childcare Assistance – provides families with help with childcare costs and is paid by Work and Income.

There are two types of payments: the Childcare Subsidy for pre-schoolers and the OSCAR (Out of School Care and Recreation) Subsidy for school-age children.

Accommodation Supplement – provides help towards the cost of rent, board, mortgage and other essential housing costs and is paid by Work and Income.

For more information

ȓ Visit www.workingforfamilies.govt.nz which has calculators to work out eligibility.

ȓ Working for Families Tax Credits:

0800 227 773

Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 9am–1pm.

ȓ Accommodation & Childcare Supplement:

0800 774 004

Mon–Fri 7am–8pm, Sat 8am–1pm.

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FAMILY

Driving in NZDriving is an international skill, but there are different rules in every country, and in New Zealand traffic rules are seen to be important. While there is often very little traffic, many roads are narrow by international standards.

ȓ You need a current driver licence from your home country to drive in New Zealand. You may also need an international driving permit or a translation of your licence if it is not written in English.

ȓ You must carry your driver licence when you are driving.

ȓ Once you have been in New Zealand for more than one year, you need to get a New Zealand Driver Licence or convert your overseas licence to a New Zealand licence (written and practical tests may be required).

ȓ It is illegal to use a mobile phone when driving unless it is an approved hands free model.

ȓ Seat belts and child restraints are compulsory.

ȓ If you need to drive specialist or heavy vehicles – such as trucks, motorbikes or

forklifts – you will need to meet the extra licence requirements that apply to these types of vehicle.

ȓ Your vehicle needs to be safe and have a current Warrant of Fitness, which can be obtained from licensed agents across New Zealand.

ȓ Your vehicle also needs a current vehicle registration.

For more information about driving in New Zealand, see The New Zealand Transport Agency guide “What is different about driving in New Zealand” online at: www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/ driving-in-nz

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MAŌRI

Tikanga Māori spiritual beliefsTapu

Tapu is one of the most important spiritual beliefs in Māori society. Tapu is a latent spiritual force emanating from creation; Māori believe all things possess a degree of tapu according to proximity to creation. Elders and leaders have greater tapu because they are believed to be closer to the ancestors and gods.

The head is the most sacred part of a person as that is the seat of consciousness. Artefacts imbued with spiritual energy of their own are considered highly tapu. A meeting house has greater tapu than a dwelling. An association with life and death adds potency to tapu. The female womb is particularly sacred as “te whare tapu”, the house where new life forms. Urupā or cemeteries are also especially tapu, as exemplified by the custom of washing hands when leaving to purify oneself. Tapu also applies to sacred places such as mountains, burial caves, tūahu (places of worship) and waters where people bathe to remove illness.

Land (whenua) is fundamental

to Māori identity.

Whakanoa rites neutralise and convert tapu from one spiritual state to another. Rites conducted upon completion of a meetinghouse negate the spiritual forces invoked to carve it and establish new tapu for teaching and ceremonies. Similar rites are sometimes performed over newborn babies and over men returning from war. Women and cooked food are the symbolic agents of changing tapu because they sustain life in this world as opposed to the spiritual world from where tapu emanates.

Mana

Mana and tapu are related. Tapu is the presence of spiritual power, and mana is the ability or authority to use it. Mana is the active possession of tapu wielded by individuals and groups; the higher your personal rank or status, the greater your mana. While mana can be inherited from illustrious ancestors, an individual can increase their mana by dedicated work, the acquisition of knowledge and skill, wise rule or prowess in war. Mana tangata is authority derived from ancestors. Mana atua is that derived from the gods. Mana whenua is guardianship and entitlement from land ownership.

Whenua

The Earth Mother (Papatūānuku) sustains life. Land (whenua) is fundamental to Māori identity. Māori believe they belong to the land, rather than the land belonging to them. Their duty is to care for the land and protect it for future descendants, just as the land cares for them and provided for their ancestors. In recognition of the mother relationship, the afterbirth and umbilical cord of new-born children (iho-whenua) are often buried in special places.

Tribal lands are tūrangawaewae, a place where a people can always stand. This was central to the identity of being tangata whenua (people of the land). Tangata whenua status is claimed through recital of whakapapa (genealogy), histories of wāhi tapu (sacred sites) including landing places of waka (canoes), battlegrounds, urupā (burial grounds), and boundary markers such as prominent physical features like mountains, rivers and lakes.

Toitū te whenua, whatungarongaro te tangataThe land endures while people depart

Whakataukī (Proverb):

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MAŌRI

Manaakitanga

Transcending all of Māoridom, manaakitanga (hospitality) is a value that emphasises the need to honour and respect relations, visitors and all peoples. Manaakitanga takes many forms, from the way we care for infants and support learners through education to how we honour respected guests and visitors.

Kaitiakitanga

Kaitiakitanga (stewardship) is a contemporary belief based on ancient traditions where spiritual kaitiaki (guardians) were the custodians of natural resources. Today kaitiakitanga has broader meanings around preserving the environment and collective assets for future generations.

Whanaungatanga

In the modern world other beliefs have become more paramount. Whanaungatanga emphasises the links between families and to treat everyone in this fashion. The emergence of whanaungatanga as a point of emphasis parallels the urbanisation of Māori from the 1950s onwards, when traditional links between families and home marae were more difficult to maintain. Today, many families maintain their whanaungatanga links through mechanisms such as Facebook.

Kotahitanga

Kotahitanga places emphasis on the families (whānau), sub-tribes (hapū) and tribes (iwi) to work together to honour ancestors, foster current generations and prepare the pathway for those that follow. It impels people to work together for the common good.

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MAŌRI

Te Reo Māori Visiting MaraeRawiri

The following words and phrases are part of everyday conversation on marae. They are important because being able to speak a little bit of Māori, or at least making the effort to do so, is seen as a sign of respect for local people and their customs.

Key words associated with visiting the marae

Hui Meeting of any kind, conference, gathering

Marae Area in front of a meeting house or applied to a whole marae complex, including meeting house, dining hall, forecourt, etc.

Tangihanga Funeral ceremonies, when body is mourned on a marae

Tangi Short (verbal version) for the above or to cry, to mourn

Kaikōrero Speakers

Kaumātua Male and female elders

Koro, korōua Male elders

Kuia, whāea Female elders

Whare nui Meeting house

Whare whakairo Carved meeting house

Whare kai Dining hall

Whare paku Lavatory, toilet

Whare hōroi Bathroom, showers

Iwi Tribe

Hapu Sub-tribe

Hau kāinga People of the land, local people

Tangata whenua Local people

Whenua Land

Useful phrases

Haere mai! Welcome! Enter!

Nau mai! Welcome!

Kia ora Hello, thank you

Tēnā koutou Greetings (to three or more people)

E noho rā Farewell (said when leaving to those staying at the marae)

Hōmai te … Pass me the …

Hōmai te parāoa Pass me the bread

Hōmai te tote Pass me the salt

Hōmai te inu Pass me the drink

Ko … ahau My name is …

He aha tō ingoa? What is your name?

He aha te kupu What is the Māori Māori mō … ? word for … ?

Me pēhea How do you say … ? e korero … ?

Ka pai te kai! This food is great!

Remember to be respectful when visiting a marae. However, also be yourself and when in doubt either copy what other people are doing or simply ask. There will always be someone there to advise and assist you.

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MAŌRI

The tomokanga (entrance) of

Paritahi Marae on Waiheke Island.

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SETTLEMENT SERVICES

In Auckland and nationwide…

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 employers 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 opportunities that match their skills. For more information about the Newcomer Skills Matching Programme:

• in Wellington: phone the Government Programmes Manager on 04 470 9949, email skillsmatch@wecc.org.nz or go to: www.tinyurl.com/weccskills

• in Canterbury: phone 03 353 4161, email juder@cecc.org.nz or go to www.cecc.org.nz.

Settlement servicesImmigration New Zealand funds the following specialist settlement services to support the information needs of new migrants.

CAB Language Link – free help in your language

Citizens 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 more than 20 languages. To contact CAB Language Link about any issue, phone 0800 78 88 77 or go to www.cab.org.nz and search for "Language Link".

Immigration New Zealand funds three Chambers of Commerce for settlement 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.

Chinese New Settlers Services Trust – workshops about living in New Zealand for Chinese and Korean newcomers

The 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 follow the links on the home page.

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SETTLEMENT SERVICES

Information for everyoneCitizens Advice Bureaus provide local information for everyone – including new migrants.

The first thing to know about your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is that it isn't just for citizens. “A lot of new migrants take the name literally,” says Kim Saunders, manager of CAB Tauranga. “But we're here for everyone, you don't have to be a citizen.”

The Tauranga office is one of 30 CABs around the country specially contracted to provide face-to-face services for new immigrants and help them find their feet here. At the moment the Tauranga office is running special migrants’ clinics, from 1pm to 4pm, Tuesday to Friday. No appointment is needed and Kim, aided by more than 50 volunteers, will answer questions on every subject.

“There is no typical question, to be honest. Maybe someone wants to find out about sports clubs, or needs help writing a CV, or with filling out a form, something like that. We can point them in the right direction, we can look things up for them. We get asked all sorts of things.”

Language is often the major constraining factor for new migrants, Kim says. “If need be we can pass people through to the CAB Language Link service, so they can speak to someone who can translate for them and tell us what they need. We've never had a client come in with a language we couldn't find an interpreter for. If they've got issues with visas, we have a link to Immigration New Zealand. We can speak on their behalf, and get them through to the appropriate person, and of course Immigration New Zealand also uses an interpreter service.”

Jane Eynon-Richards of CAB Rotorua agrees that the word “citizens” can mislead people. “It's important to make sure everyone knows you don't have to be a citizen to use the service. We're here for everyone.”

The Rotorua office sees a lot of international students from Waiariki Polytechnic who have come here on student visas and are keen to find a job in the region so they can stay on. “So most of the questions we're getting are about how to find a job or about visas and immigration status. But also we get questions about how to find a local dentist or a doctor, schools in the area, clubs or interest groups. We're charged with providing face-to-face information to new migrants about settling in the Kiwi way of life.”

The 69 volunteers who help Jane staff the office include a couple of Cantonese and Mandarin speakers, who have proved popular with new Chinese residents. “Word's got out that they're here at certain times of the week, so we get quite a few enquiries from new Chinese residents. Often they're business owners and their families. Most of the students we get are from the Philippines and India. Those and the Chinese would be our three largest groups. Plus we get the occasional British person and the occasional North European.

“Just last week we had someone return with a box of chocolates to say the advice we gave was really helpful. We're easy to find. We really do thrive on giving people information and helping them, so don't be afraid to come in.”

For CAB contact details, see pages 52 and 53.

From left, Kim Saunders and Jane Eynon-Richards

CAB Tauranga staff members

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SETTLEMENT SERVICES

Local information for new migrantsImmigration New Zealand provides a free local information service for new migrants about living and working in New Zealand.

This service can be accessed at the Citizens Advice Bureau in 30 locations around the country.

SOUTH ISLANDNELSON–TASMANCAB Nelson-Tasman 9 Paru Paru Road, Nelson Monday–Friday 9am – 4.30pm

MARLBOROUGHCAB Marlborough Marlborough Community Centre, 25 Alfred Street, Blenheim Monday–Friday 9.30am – 4pm

WEST COASTCAB Buller Clocktower Building, 113 Palmerston Street, Westport Monday–Friday 10am – 3pm

Want to phone? Call 0800 FOR CAB (0800 367 222) for further information

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SETTLEMENT SERVICES

NORTH ISLANDNORTHLANDCAB Whangarei Municipal Building, 71 Bank Street, Whangarei Monday–Friday 9am – 4.30pm

AUCKLANDCAB New Lynn New Lynn Library Building, 3 Memorial Drive, Auckland Monday–Friday 9am – 4.30pm, Saturday 10am – 1pm

CAB Northcote Northcote Library Buildings, 5 Ernie Mays Street, Northcote, Auckland Monday–Friday 9.15am–3.30pm

CAB Eden Albert 82 St Lukes Road (by Public Library) Mt Albert, Auckland Monday–Friday 9am – 4pm

CAB Manurewa Library Complex, 7J Hill Road, Manurewa, Auckland Monday–Friday 9am – 4pm, Saturday 9am– 11am

CAB Auckland Central 1st floor, Auckland Central City Library, 44-46 Lorne Street, Auckland Monday 11am–3pm Tuesday–Thursday: 9.30am – 4.30pm, Friday 11am – 3pm, Saturday (JP only) 10am – 12pm

CAB Pakuranga-East Manukau Library Building, Aylesbury Street, Pakuranga, Auckland Monday–Friday 9am – 4.30pm, Saturday 9.30 – 11.30am

CAB Browns Bay 2 Glen Road, Browns Bay, Auckland Monday–Friday 9am – 4.30pm

WAIKATOCAB Hamilton 55 Victoria Street, Hamilton Monday–Friday 8.45am – 5pm

TARANAKICAB New Plymouth Community House, 32 Leach Street, New Plymouth Monday–Friday 9.30am – 3.30pm

WHANGANUI–MANAWATUCAB Palmerston North Community House, 77 King Street, Palmerston North Monday–Friday 9am – 4.30pm

BAY OF PLENTYCAB Tauranga 38 Hamilton Street, Tauranga Monday–Friday 9am – 5pm

CAB Rotorua Community House, 1115 Haupapa Street, Rotorua Monday–Friday 9am – 5.30pm

GISBORNECAB Gisborne 124A Bright Street, Gisborne Monday–Friday 9.30am – 4pm

HAWKE'S BAYCAB Napier Community Hub, Community House, 62 Raffles Street, Napier Monday–Friday 9am – 4pm, Saturday 9.30am – 12pm

WELLINGTONCAB Lower Hutt Apex House, Cnr Queens Drive and Laings Road, Lower Hutt Monday–Friday 9am – 5pm

CAB Upper Hutt 18 Logan Street, Upper Hutt Monday–Friday 9am – 4.30pm

CAB Porirua 2nd Floor, Pember House, 16 Hagley Street, Porirua Monday–Friday 9am – 4.30pm

CAB Kapiti 1st Floor Coastlands Shoppingtown, Paraparaumu Monday–Friday 9am – 4pm

CAB Wellington City Mezzanine Floor Central Library, 65 Victoria Street, Wellington Monday 9.30am – 5.15pm, Tuesday–Thursday 9.30am – 6.30pm, Friday 9.30am – 3.30pm, Saturday 11am – 1pm

CANTERBURYCAB North Canterbury Trevor Inch Memorial Library, 141 Percival Street, Rangiora Monday–Friday 9am – 4.30pm

CAB Christchurch City Christchurch Polytechnic Student Association Building, 5 Madras Street, Central City, Christchurch Monday and Friday 9am – 12pm, Tuesday–Thursday 9am – 3pm

CAB Christchurch West Hornby Community Care Centre, 8 Goulding Avenue, Hornby, Christchurch Monday–Friday 9am – 5pm

CAB Christchurch North Fendalton Library, Cnr Clyde and Jeffreys Roads, Fendalton, Christchurch Monday and Friday 10am – 4pm, Tuesday–Thursday 10am – 1pm

OTAGOCAB Dunedin 283-301 Moray Place, Dunedin Monday–Friday 8.45am – 5.30pm, Saturday 9.30am – 12 noon

CAB Outreach Mosgiel Mosgiel Library, Hartstonge Avenue, Mosgiel Wednesday 11.30am – 1.30pm

CAB Queenstown 44 Stanley Street, Queenstown Monday–Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm

SOUTHLANDCAB Invercargill 97 Spey Street Invercargill Monday–Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday 10am – 12pm

www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/local