3 September 2025

Belong Aotearoa’s latest Impact Report, authored by the Centre for Social Innovation, shines a light on this disconnect and highlights the critical work being done by community organisations to support migrant and former refugee communities.

A recent Newsroom article by Rob Campbell underscores a stark truth: while Aotearoa has long promoted immigration as an economic benefit, we don’t do enough to assist migrant families, particularly those who are struggling. Migrants are welcomed for their economic potential, yet too often, many are left without the support needed to truly thrive.

The statistics in the Report are sobering:

• 30% of migrants do not have enough income to meet basic living costs.
• 44% of migrant employees are in part-time roles.
• Over 40% report that their skills are unrecognised in their employment.

These figures reveal deep systemic issues which cannot be solved through isolated programmes or goodwill alone.

Belong Aotearoa is doing important work on the ground, directly supporting migrants and former refugees to navigate complex systems, build belonging, and – at a systemic level - challenge the barriers that limit their full participation in Aotearoa. This work is a powerful example of community-led solutions, that not only address immediate needs but also push for long-term, systemic change.

Angela Wilton, Belong Aotearoa Chief Executive, says “there is a lot of great support available at a grass roots level to our migrant and former refugee communities, but it is not enough; fundamentally real change requires collective responsibility across government, society, and the private sector”.

The Impact Report makes clear that community organisations cannot do this mahi alone. Migrant and refugee communities face entrenched challenges.

Wilton says “often it feels like political conversations are dominated by talk of economic growth, while core values like manaakitanga, care, and fairness get too little attention. I believe that progress must be measured not just in dollars, but in how we uphold human dignity, value diversity, ensure equitable access to opportunities, and celebrate equitable outcomes. We need a national response, grounded in justice, fairness, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and ideally, a reimagined approach to how we embrace diversity”.

“As we head toward local and national elections, there is an urgent need to recognise that supporting our migrant and refugee whānau is not just a community issue, it is a national imperative. We must prioritise policies that tackle systemic racism, underfunding, employment inequities, and barriers to housing and healthcare. Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and building a truly inclusive society means ensuring all who call Aotearoa home feel they belong”, says Wilton.

The call to action in Belong Aotearoa’s Impact Report is clear. Meaningful change is only possible through shared responsibility. Leaders across government, business, and civil society must come together to support our diverse communities, ensuring that everyone who calls this country home can fully participate in and feel part of the vibrant mosaic that is Aotearoa.

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