New video welcomes former refugees to Ōtepoti Dunedin

The video will be shown at the Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre, where refugee-background families spend their first six weeks in New Zealand before moving to communities across the country.

Since becoming a refugee resettlement location in 2016, Ōtepoti Dunedin has welcomed hundreds of former refugees who have made the city their home. The first cohort of Syrian former refugees arrived on 22 April 2016, marking the beginning of a renewed chapter in Dunedin's long history of welcoming people from refugee backgrounds.

In March 2019, the first intake of Afghan former refugees arrived in Dunedin. Prior to this, the city became home to refugee communities from Cambodia, Iraq, Iran and several African nations, whose contributions have enriched the social, cultural and economic fabric of Dunedin.

DCC Team Leader Community Partnerships Dr Mai Tamimi says the welcome video was developed following recommendations from the Dunedin Former Refugee Steering Group, a council-mandated advisory group established in 2017. The group includes representatives from government and non-government organisations, alongside community members with lived refugee experience, and provides guidance on long-term settlement and inclusion initiatives.

A distinctive feature of the video is its opening welcome from mana whenua, with representatives from Puketeraki Marae and Ōtākou Marae sharing messages of manaakitanga and belonging.

The video also introduces new arrivals to the people, places and services that support settlement in Dunedin, including education, health, community services, recreation opportunities and cultural connections.

Chair of the Dunedin Former Refugee Steering Group, Cr Marie Laufiso, said the project reflects our aspirations that every former refugee whānau is supported with mana-enhancing relationships so that they will thrive and flourish in Ōtepoti Dunedin.

"Coming from cultures that have existed for millennia, former refugees experience many challenges while starting new lives in this relatively young society. This video is a very small step that welcomes people and offers them a brief introduction to the values, communities and services that make Dunedin a welcoming place to live, learn, play, innovate and belong."

The project was made possible through the collaboration of mana whenua, former refugee communities, settlement service providers, government agencies and local organisations that continue to support successful settlement outcomes across the city.

The launch of the video at Ōtākou Marae on 6 October highlighted the strength of the partnerships that have helped shape Dunedin's refugee resettlement programme over the past decade and reinforces the city's commitment to being an inclusive and welcoming community for all.

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