Minister praises ESOL Home Tutors' settlement work
19 May 2008
Conference highlights NGO collaboration
Conference 2008 provided an outstanding opportunity to highlight settlement work undertaken by major NGOs (non-government organisations) in New Zealand. Collaboration within the sector was a key theme as the conference welcomed delegates from other sector organisations and institutions.
The conference opened with a mihi whakatu followed by a speech by the Hon. Maryan Street, Associate Minister for Tertiary Education. 
Ms Street talked about ESOL Home Tutors' enormous contribution to 'nation building' in New Zealand, commending the organisation on the vital networking and learning opportunities they create for migrants and refugees. These efforts contribute enormously to settlement outcomes, and Ms Street praised the organisation on what it achieves for the country as a whole.
Reflecting on the conference theme and the personal, political and environmental changes undertaken when settling in a new country, Ms Street noted, "Continuity gives us roots, change gives us branches".
In closing, she commented on recent improvements to the 'English for Migrants' programme. The time within which learners can use money pre-paid for language tuition has been increased to five years. Ms Street noted that the increase affords migrants more time to concentrate on other pressing settlement needs, such as housing, children's education and simply adjusting to their new environment.
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aturday's keynote speaker, Mar Mar Kyi Maung, provided a personal window on settlement from a migrant's perspective. Mar Mar spoke about the life she had left behind in Burma, the difficulties of managing the changes her family faced, and her personal challenges to overcome language and employment barriers. Mar Mar went on to acknowledge the support she has received from ESOL Home Tutors in Nelson since arriving in New Zealand. Mar Mar is now a member of ESOL Home Tutors' National Board.
The conference also launched a key research paper on the contribution of settlement NGOs to the settlement of refugees and migrants in New Zealand.
The launch was followed by lively presentations from leaders of key settlement NGOs. Peter Cotton, (RMS Refugee Resettlement); Claire Szabo, (ESOL Home Tutors); Mary Dawson, (Auckland Regional Migrant Services); and Louise May, (Citizens Advice Bureau) outlined the settlement work each organisation undertakes.
The full research paper will be available from www.esolht.org.nz/news/ from late May. Read the executive summary. Hard copies of the executive summary are available from natoffice@esolht.org.nz. 