Information for people new to New Zealand
Support organisations in your area
All regions
Many local organisations do not have websites, but if they are part of a national organisation, you can find local details on the national website. Also, contact your local city council or regional council.
Career Services
Contact details for 18 regional offices.
Citizens Advice Bureaux
Citizens Advice Bureaux provide free and impartial information and advice on a wide range of matters. This website will help you find an office in your region.
Community Access Broadcasters
The site lists 11 community access radio stations around New Zealand. These stations provide facilities that enable a wide range of community groups to keep in touch with their members and the wider public.
ESOL Home Tutors
The ESOL Home Tutors organisation has 23 local branches throughout New Zealand. They provide migrants and refugees with English language tuition and settlement support. Some branches offer job mentoring.
Settlement Support New Zealand (SSNZ)
Settlement Support New Zealand is a locally-based initiative in 19 locations around New Zealand that connects newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement.
Volunteering New Zealand
This site lists local volunteer organisations in 15 centres. They can put you in touch with organisations that need volunteer workers (usually unpaid). Volunteering can help you develop your English language skills and put you in touch with a wide range of people.
Northland
Career Services regional office
Dress for Success - Northland
Dress for Success Northland helps women prepare for job interviews and for transitioning into paid work.
Settlement Support New Zealand (SSNZ) - Northland
Connecting newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement in Northland.
Whangarei Migrant Centre
The Migrant Centre provides information and support for migrants who are new to the Whangarei area.
Contact: Sabrina Saminaden, co-ordinator
Phone: (09) 430 0571
Email: whangareimc@gmail.com
Women's International Newcomers Group Social (WINGS)
WINGS is an organisation that helps women and their families who are new migrants to the Whangarei area settle into life in New Zealand.
Auckland
- The Migrant Action Trust in Auckland runs an employment support group to help migrants with job search skills
Auckland Plus
Auckland Plus is Auckland's regional economic development agency. The site provides information and advice about setting up and running businesses in the greater Auckland region.
Auckland Regional Migrant Services (ARMS)
ARMS offers a range of services for migrants in the wider Auckland region. There are ARMS centres at Three Kings and Manukau. The ARMS website provides information about workshops and other services, including employment support.
Career Services regional office
Chinese New Settlers Services Trust
The Chinese New Settlers Services Trust provides employment assistance, educational programmes, and social support for people of a Chinese cultural background living in New Zealand.
Community Law Auckland
Community Law is a non-profit organisation which provides free legal help to people who face barriers accessing justice.
English Language Partners New Zealand - Auckland
English Language Partners New Zealand offers English language classes and settlement support to adult refugees and mirgants in the Auckland area.
Migrant Action Trust
Migrant Action Trust provides workshops, support groups, and one-to-one career counselling to help migrants with job search skills and an understanding of the New Zealand employment market. They also serve as advocates for migrants, advise people who are trying to start their own businesses, and provide start-up grants.
New Kiwis
A free service for employers and job seekers that is operated by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. New Zealand residents and people on work permits can register, develop a personal job search strategy, search for jobs and put their CVs online for employers to see.
Refugees as Survivors
Refugees as Survivors provides mental health services for refugees and migrants, and helps people resettle in New Zealand. This site outlines services and contains a comprehensive directory of services available in Auckland.
Settlement Support New Zealand (SSNZ) - Auckland
Connecting newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement in Auckland.
Settlement Support with New Zealand (SSNZ) - Manukau
Connecting newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement in the Manukau area.
Settlement Support with New Zealanders (SSNZ) - North Shore
Connecting newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement in the North Shore area.
Settlement Support with New Zealanders (SSNZ) - Pacific
Connecting Pasifika newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement.
Settlement Support with New Zealanders (SSNZ) - Waitakere
Connecting newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement in the Waitakere area.
Gisborne
Career Services regional office
Community Law Gisborne
Community Law is a non-profit organisation which provides free legal help to people who face barriers accessing justice.
Bay of Plenty
Career Services regional office
Community Law Bay of Plenty
Community Law is a non-profit organisation which provides free legal help to people who face barriers accessing justice.
New Zealand Newcomers Network
New Zealand Newcomers Network offers migrants friendship, support and help with settlement issues in the Rotorua area.
Priority One
Priority One is the Western Bay of Plenty region's economic development organisation.
Settlement Support New Zealand (SSNZ) - Tauranga
Connecting newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement in the Tauranga area.
Settlement Support New Zealand (SSNZ) - Rotorua
Connecting newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement in the Rotorua area.
Waikato
Career Services regional office
Community Law Hamilton
Community Law is a non-profit organisation which provides free legal help to people who face barriers accessing justice.
Settlement Support New Zealand (SSNZ) - Hamilton
Connecting newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement in the Hamilton area.
Hawke's Bay
Career Services regional office
Community Law Hawke's Bay
Community Law is a non-profit organisation which provides free legal help to people who face barriers accessing justice.
New Zealand Newcomers Network
New Zealand Newcomers Network offers migrants friendship, support and help with settlement issues in the Hawke's Bay area.
Settlement Support New Zealand (SSNZ) - Hastings/Napier
Connecting newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement in the Hawke's Bay area.
Taranaki
Career Services regional office
Community Law Taranaki
Community Law is a non-profit organisation which provides free legal help to people who face barriers accessing justice.
Settlement Support New Zealand (SSNZ) - New Plymouth
Connecting newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement in the New Plymouth area.
Venture Taranaki
Information about living and working in Taranaki. The Work section of this site describes regional industries and lists career shortages.
Manawatu/Wanganui
Career Services regional office
Community Law Manawatu
Community Law is a non-profit organisation which provides free legal help to people who face barriers accessing justice.
Settlement Support New Zealand (SSNZ) - Palmerston North
Connecting newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement in the Palmerston North area.
Wellington
Career Services regional office
Community Law Wellington
Community Law is a non-profit organisation which provides free legal help to people who face barriers accessing justice.
Grow Wellington
Grow Wellington is the economic development initiative set up by regional councils. In the Migrant Jobs section, you can register on a database and put up your CV for employers to see.
Interpreting Wellington
Interpreting Wellington provides interpreting or 'spoken translation' to support effective communication between non-English speakers and government agencies or private businesses.
Multicultural Services Centre
The Multicultural Services Centre houses six community-based agencies that aid the resettlement of refugees and migrants in New Zealand.
Settlement Support New Zealand (SSNZ) - Hutt
Connecting newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement in the Hutt Valley area.
Settlement Support New Zealand (SSNZ) - Porirua
Connecting newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement in the Porirua area.
Settlement Support New Zealand (SSNZ) - Wellington
Connecting newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement in the Wellington area.
Wellington City Council Migrant & Refugee Work Experience Programme
Programme that helps migrants and refugees to gain local work experience with the Wellington City Council.
Wellington City Council - Move to Wellington Guide
Information about moving to Wellington, including contact details for regional authorities.
Wellington Refugees as Survivors
Wellington Refugees as Survivors provides mental health services for refugees and migrants, and helps people resettle in New Zealand.
Marlborough
Career Services regional offices
Community Law Marlborough
Community Law is a non-profit organisation which provides free legal help to people who face barriers accessing justice.
Marlborough Migrant Centre
The Marlborough Migrant Centre organises social activities and provides support for newcomers to the region.
New Zealand Newcomers Network
New Zealand Newcomers Network offers migrants friendship and support with settlement issues in the Marlborough area.
Nelson
Career Services regional office
Community Law Nelson Bays
Community Law is a non-profit organisation which provides free legal help to people who face barriers accessing justice.
New Zealand Newcomers Network
New Zealand Newcomers Network offers migrants friendship, support and help with settlement issues in the Nelson/Tasman area.
Settlement Support New Zealand (SSNZ) - Nelson/Tasman
Connecting newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement.
West Coast
Career Services regional office
Migrant Services Project
The Migrant Services Project provides information and support for newcomers in the Greymouth area.
Contact: Mel Kay, Migrant Services Manager
Phone: (03) 768 1070
Canterbury
Career Services regional office
Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce
The Canterbury Chamber of Commerce provides services for employers and migrants seeking work. You can place your CV online for employers to see.
Christchurch City Council - Migrants' Guide
A Migrants' Guide to Christchurch provided by the Christchurch City Council, including contact details for Christchurch Resettlement Services.
CINCH
Community Information Christchurch is the database of clubs, organisations, services, and courses in the greater Christchurch area. It is operated by the Christchurch City Council.
Community Law Canterbury
Community Law Canterbury is a non-profit organisation which provides free legal help to people who face barriers accessing justice.
New Zealand Newcomers Network
New Zealand Newcomers Network offers migrants friendship, support and help with settlement issues in the Selwyn area.
Settlement Support New Zealand (SSNZ) - Christchurch
Connecting newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement in the Christchurch area.
Otago
Career Services regional office
Community Law Dunedin
Community Law is a non-profit organisation which provides free legal help to people who face barriers accessing justice.
Maverick Group
Dunedin-based company that provides immigration advice and settlement support services to newcomers. While some of their services are free, such as English conversation courses and workshops for migrants, there is a charge for other services.
Settlement Support New Zealand (SSNZ) - Dunedin
Connecting newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement in the Dunedin area.
Southland
Career Services regional office
Community Law Southland
Community Law is a non-profit organisation which provides free legal help to people who face barriers accessing justice.
Settlement Support New Zealand (SSNZ) - Invercargill
Connecting newcomers with information and services that can support their settlement in the Invercargill area.
