Founded in 2006, Aotearoa Resettled Community Coalition (ARCC) (previously known as Auckland Resettled Community Coalition) is led by community leaders from humanitarian migrant backgrounds, who advocate on behalf of resettled communities from diverse, ethnic backgrounds.
ARCC seeks to address the challenges of resettlement and integration to create a strong, thriving and settled former refugee community in Auckland, that is selfsufficient and contributing to New Zealand society. ARCC gives newcomers and resettled communities a platform to have a collective voice to raise awareness on the issues they face such as employment, housing and navigation of New Zealand systems.
ARCC is unique in that all its staff are from former refugee backgrounds, and are therefore well placed to provide support to resettled communities to foster positive integration. ARCC offers a range of projects from Resett Radio, a community radio programme which gives a voice to the 23 member groups, to Youth United Voice which helps to empower youth to emerge as leaders.
Its projects work towards empowering communities to fulfil their aspirations by creating opportunities for participation, strengthening community leadership and building the capabilities of members. Its sustainable, integrated resettlement model helps to maintain the cultural identities of former refugees and allow them to thrive in their new country.
There is a high demand from new residents and resettled community for support and advocacy. Many people are not able to help themselves, as there are many barriers. These include isolation, post-traumatic stress, historical trauma,survival guilt, language barriers, family breakdown, employment and education. In the resettlement sector, there is not a cohesive support system in place to
respond to these challenges and needs that represents a holistic and culturally safe approach to the healing process in New Zealand. It is vital that we continue to provide support within resettled communities to foster positive integration and for New Zealanders to understand the journey
of resettlement.
