From refugee to community leader

When Nasra and her family moved into their home at a Kāinga Ora complex, they had one big wish – a friendly and supportive community. Now everyone knows the family and pitches in to volunteer at the community events Nasra organises.

“I moved in here five years ago along with my husband Jafari and four children. It was brand new, and we wanted our children to live in a safe, friendly place so we thought about what we could do to create that, how we could get to know everyone.”

Nasra’s first step was to organise a Neighbours Day BBQ after seeing a poster about it.

“On the day, around 50 people turned up and we had a wonderful time. People were saying they wanted more opportunities to get together so we made a list of what we wanted.”

Nasra tending to her thriving vege garden

The complex includes a community room, so Nasra and her helpers decided to start by using the space to run a free school holiday programme. It’s been a great success with up to 20 children in attendance for games and craft fun under the watchful eyes of volunteer staff.

Neighbour Sammi says she volunteers because she loves children: “They call me Aunty or Teacher. And I wanted to help my friend Nasra. She brings love, joy, and happiness to this neighbourhood.”

The children return to the community room on Friday nights for movies and popcorn, another chance to be with friends. And for the grown-ups, there are clothing swap shops, a sewing club, and occasional workshops.

Hikmah, another volunteer, especially enjoys the sewing club. “I wanted to learn new skills and do something for my family. Being able to sew my children’s clothes makes me feel proud and it saves my family money. And I’ve made wonderful friends through the group.

“In the summer, the children play together for hours, and we feel a great sense of safety and support.

“We have neighbours from India, Samoa, Iraq, Africa, Germany, and China. We all want to feel safe and to have friends.”

To help new migrants settle in, the volunteer group organise workshops where neighbours learn about Māori and New Zealand culture, as well as events to celebrate Christmas, Easter, Chinese New Year and Eid, to name but a few.

“It is important to us to learn the ways of New Zealand and to help others feel that they belong. Together we are so much stronger,” says Nasra.

“When we were first here, I was nervous to send my children outside to play but now all the kids know each other, they play together and respect each other – and it’s the most beautiful thing.”