Understanding refugee life
A three-year research project on refugees has provided a rich source of data on the refugee resettlement experience.
Refugee Voices was a three-year project, undertaken by the Department of Labour's Immigration Service. The aim was to identify areas where refugee wellbeing could be improved through changes to support systems, and to provide information to assist with the development of resettlement policy and appropriate services.
The research involved interviewing 398 refugees face-to-face, and involved both recently arrived and established refugees. Participants were Afghan, Burmese, Ethiopian, Iranian, Iraqi, Somali, Sri Lankan, and Vietnamese.
Research Programme Manager, Stephen Dunstan, said the research provided a wealth of data. "The research provides a rich overview of refugee resettlement in New Zealand, but the findings should not be generalised to the wider refugee population. The results apply specifically to those interviewed. The characteristics and nationalities of refugees change over time depending on the circumstances of the world."
Stephen said the research showed refugees were a diverse group and a one-size-fits-all approach to resettlement is not possible. Other issues raised by the research were that refugees lacked an understanding of available services, and refugees came to New Zealand with expectations that were not always met.
The greatest challenge was finding work. Refugees also needed more help with accessing English language training and appropriate housing. However, the provision of health services and children's schooling was working well, and support agencies were offering a useful service. The majority of participants also said they felt safe in New Zealand. "Overall, the research highlights the complexity of refugee resettlement, and the core importance of obtaining work and learning the English language.
"However, additional research is needed to allow us to more fully understand some of the issues raised by this project, including issues relating to discrimination and mental health."
Stephen said there was a need for case studies to further understand the resettlement and integration issues faced by certain groups such as men and women, children and older refugees, and case studies of successful employer–employee relationships, to demonstrate what made such relationships work. "We need more case studies that tell the positive stories of refugee life in New Zealand."
