helinuk

We were advised by our settlement officer in Tauranga that there are monthly courses for new arrivals, these are also advertised in the local papers too.

Having been here 5 months we've just got around to attending one of these courses! They are run by 'Relationship services' for the NZIS for any new arrivals. It was an all day course with a light lunch included- all free. We had talks, group discussions and several worksheets designed to develop our knowledge and skills about the settlement processes.

It was also a very good oprotunity to chat to people from other countries and hear how they have coped with settling in.

We were given a certificate of attendance at the end of the day.

Several of us said we found that it was helpful attending it now, 5 months in, rather than in our first month when we were very busy organising our new life and had quite enough to think about!
I would highly recommend the course
Helen

Maz

I didn't even know there were such things as settlement officers! Sounds like a great course, Helen, glad it was beneficial.

helinuk

yes when we first arrived we had to send a form off to the NZIS settlement officer in Auck/Hamilton? to say where were living etc. We didn't hear anything back so hubby phoned NZIS and asked if it was all ok. Amongst other things they referred us to the settlement officers in Tauranga and we were sent info and course details. All sweet as...

Maz

Interesting! I wonder if that was because you arrived with PR already?

pascalr

and didn't arrive on a tourist visa and stay?

Maz

You must be tired of taking pot-shots at me by now, pascal. I've explained what happened with us - all 100% legal and above-board. Yet you still harp on about it. How sad.

helinuk

We had PR but there were several people on the course who are still applying for work permits. It was open to anyone.

Maz

Has any of the Welly bunch heard of the NZIS branch in town doing this? I didn't hear a peep about anything like this when we all got our permits.

pascalr

Yet, you can completely berate someone who's actions/methods (of which you know nothing) don't agree with you.

Maz

WTF are you blathering on about this time? Where in this thread have I done any berating? Get a grip, pascal. I'm off out to have some fun.

pascalr

and where on this thread have i taken a pot shot at you?

helinuk

excuse me you 2 this was started as positive thread

Nerine

It's good to see that these sort of courses are being offered, sounds well worth it. Hope the idea catches on.

dreamfish

we have arrived with PR and i contacted our 'settlement office', told them we were in Porirua. They sent us a pack of 'Whats on in Wellington', 'Whats on at Te Papa' , 'whats on at the botanical gardens', a wellington bus timetable and train timetable for the johnsonville line. Oh, and a Porirua bin bag and recycle bag.

I thought it was pretty naff when I could have done with knowing the basics like what is the number for emergency services, an explanation of the ambulance service out here, where to get bin bags, how to use the post office and what do the various postal services mean, and those grey boxes on the side of the road arent poop scoop bins, but letter boxes.

Nothing about any courses or how to settle in.

Nerine

oooooooh dear, therein lies a tale