BUILDING CULTURAL BRIDGES ACROSS TARANAKI

Migrant Connections Taranaki (MCT) Charitable Trust is a community-based organisation dedicated to supporting migrants, cross-cultural families and international students who’ve come from more than 74 countries to live and work in Taranaki.

“Before arriving at MCT, many immigrants feel adrift. People describe feeling lost, unsure where to turn for help with housing, healthcare or even just finding friends,” said Geetha Kutty, MCT Manager/Coordinator. 

“Our services include mentoring, orientation and cultural guidance to help newcomers integrate into the community. We also give language support, translation and interpretation services, and connect migrants with cultural groups and support networks.” 

Toi Foundation funding of $19k helped with operational costs and enabled MCT to expand its programs, offering classes, workshops and community get togethers in 2024. 

“During the year we ran five cultural guidance workshops exploring cultural do’s and don’ts from migrant and local perspectives, 20 Te Reo/Tikana classes for beginners, and several get-togethers” said Geetha. 

“145 people celebrated International Migrants Day with cultural programmes and ethnic food, while more than 200 enjoyed Chinese cultural activities and food at the Chinese Dragon Boat Day.” 

Geetha says the needs of immigrants are incredibly diverse.

“We're dealing with everything from language barriers and cultural misunderstandings to trauma from past experiences. It requires a deep understanding of individual circumstances and a commitment to building trust.

 "Supporting immigrants is not just about helping individuals; it's about building a more inclusive and welcoming community for everyone. We've seen a real shift in confidence and well-being. People are finding jobs, making friends, and truly feeling at home in Taranaki."