When New Zealand marked World refugee Day recently, Police staff were among those celebrating the diverse talents and cultures refugees bring to these shores.
Police are involved with new arrivals from their early days in the country at Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre, and offer ongoing support when they reach their new homes.
An increasing number of people from these communities are now finding their way into Police, increasing the cause for celebration.
World Refugee Day was marked on June 20, and Police and community events were held across the country over the week.
One such event took place on Saturday 17 June at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre.
It aimed to foster unity and inclusivity while celebrating refugees’ contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Police ethnic team at Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre, from left: Yumi Nguyen, Principal Ethnic Partnerships Adviser; Senior Sergeant Kannan Alagappan, National Ethnic Partnerships team; Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo; Sergeant Policarpo Capunitan (Ding), Ethnic Liaison Coordinator, Tāmaki Makaurau Ethnic Services Team.
National Ethnic Partnerships Manager Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo and the Tāmaki Makaurau Ethnic Service team attended the gathering, along with representatives of Immigration New Zealand.
“New Zealand Police remains committed to delivering a meaningful welcome pack to every individual arriving through the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre and continuing to support former refugee communities in 14 resettlement locations across New Zealand,” says Rakesh.
Kia ora from Porirua!
At Police National Headquarters (PNHQ), the Ethnic Internal Support Network met to commemorate World Refugee Day on June 20.
The event featured guest speakers from Wellington Refugee Service providers, including ChangeMakers Resettlement Forum and the New Zealand Red Cross.
Constable Eric Alvarez, pictured right, who is based in Bay of Plenty District, also shared his story of how he came to work for Police after coming to New Zealand with his family in 2011 from Central America.
“We fled El Salvador due to the criminal situation in the country being out of control, and my life and the life of my family were at risk,” he says.
“Once we settled in New Zealand, I started to consider my dream of being a police officer.
“I wanted to be a member of the New Zealand Police for several reasons. Firstly, since I was a kid I wanted to be a police officer; and secondly as a gesture of gratitude to the country after New Zealand gave me and my family the opportunity to live our lives here in peace.”
Outside of the celebrations, work has been ongoing in New Zealand Police to support refugees. This work included contributing to the National Refugee Resettlement Strategy, which underwent a comprehensive review to incorporate Police outcomes.
Earlier this year, the Police National Ethnic Partnerships team initiated a review aiming to establish and maintain positive interactions with refugee communities and partner agencies in the refugee sector. As part of this effort, all resources provided to these communities and agencies are being updated.