Strategy & Purpose

Settlement Support, Palmerston North is a Department of Labour funded initiative, in partnership with the Palmerston North City Council. Its goal is to help newcomers (migrants, refugees and their families) to New Zealand settle in to the local community.

We are part of the national Settlement Support network, which is set up to direct newcomers and their families to services they might need during their first years in New Zealand. www.ssnz.govt.nz

New Zealand Settlement Strategy

The aim of the national Settlement Strategy is to ensure that New Zealand is a welcoming destination for newcomers.

The vision for the New Zealand Settlement Strategy is:
“New Zealand’s prosperity is underpinned by an inclusive society, in which the local and national integration of newcomers is supported by responsive services, a welcoming environment and a shared respect for diversity.”

Settlement Support Purpose

The purpose of Settlement Support, Palmerston North, is to help newcomers locate the information they require to settle successfully in Palmerston North and the surrounding area.

This includes helping newcomers:

• feel accepted and respected in the community;
• obtain employment appropriate to their qualifications and skills;
• become confident using New Zealand English, or access appropriate language support;
• access appropriate information and responsive services in the community;
• form supportive social networks;
• feel safe within the community where they live; and
• accept and respect the New Zealand way of life, and contribute to the local community.

Our services are free, confidential and available to all newcomers, as well as local businesses and service providers.