Settling In Palmerston North and Feilding - Human Rights Commission

Suggestions for further action included:• Improving information / processes regarding employment assistance options• Establishing a Volunteer Centre – useful work experience opportunities• Building on existing strategies to improve newcomer opportunities for work experience, links to jobs, job skills• Promoting the benefits of a diverse workforce (using recent local research findings).5. Families and ChildrenKey issues were raised in relation to:• Isolation, loneliness and dislocation from extended family• Accessing services and support• Family reunification• Appropriate, sufficient and affordable family activities• New Zealand norms and intergenerational issues• Retaining culture.6SETTLING IN PALMERSTON NORTH AND FEILDINGSuggestions for further action included:• Ensuring the needs of wider family members are identified and planned for in early connections with newcomers• Linking families into a Newcomers Network• Further utilising churches, sports clubs and schools to link newcomer families into the wider community• Including parenting information & contacts in any new resources for newcomers• Developing strategies to adapt / set up parenting support that accommodates the needs of newcomers (with a focus on parents ofteenagers)• Providing more realistic information to newcomers about New Zealand norms• Providing key newcomer information to schools / early childhood educators• Developing strategies to increase the range of family-oriented socialisation opportunities and to connect isolated family members to existingopportunities.6. Healthy LifestyleKey issues were raised in relation to:• Access to services• Quality and costs of health care• Cultural sensitivity• Health cover for non-permanent residents• Healthy environment• Health workforceSuggestions for further action included:• Including key local health information in any new resources for newcomers• Providing key newcomer information and support to health services and practitioners (cultural norms and taboos, links to contacts andinterpreters, strategies for working with newcomer clients)• Developing a strategy to improve access to GPs for new residents• Improving patient advocacy for newcomers• Referring wider national issues to appropriate forums (eg insurance and workforce issues).7. Knowledge and SkillsKey issues were raised in relation to:• Language barriers and communications difficulties• Insufficient ESoL and interpreting services• Costs of education, training and childcare• Lack of information about the New Zealand education system• Recognition of overseas skills and qualifications• Transport• Schools – appreciation of diversity, hygiene concerns• Insufficient early childhood education (ECE) places• The many positive opportunities in New Zealand.Suggestions for further action included:• Developing local information about adult education / ESOL opportunities for newcomers and also for schools, service providers and othersfor referral purposes• Including information about the New Zealand school system as part of welcome information or pre-arrival• Assessing gaps in services to meet language needs of newcomers and strategies to reduce these (focus on vulnerable groups, eg women