Community-led • Auckland-based
Health Equity For Refugee and Migrant Communities
New Haven Aotearoa works alongside refugee, asylum seeker and migrant communities to improve access to health and disability services, promote wellbeing and help shape more responsive services.
Where we are now
NHA is developing work across four connected areas. Our services are not open for referrals yet, and community knowledge and evidence will help us decide what to develop first.
Why we are here
Health Systems Should Work For Everyone
Refugee, asylum seeker and migrant communities bring knowledge, skills and resilience to Aotearoa. Many people still face barriers when trying to understand health information, find the right service, communicate their needs or access disability support.
New Haven Aotearoa is being developed to help address these barriers through community voice, practical information, partnership and advocacy.
Our focus
Four Connected Areas
Our work is being shaped carefully around the needs and experiences of refugee, asylum seeker and migrant communities.
01
Health Promotion, Information and Rights
Culturally appropriate health promotion, community education and accessible resources that make reliable information and health and disability rights easier to understand.
02
Health and Disability Access and Navigation
Practical navigation support to help people understand eligibility, referrals and service pathways, and connect with suitable health and disability services.
03
Community Wellbeing and Connection
Culturally responsive, community-led programmes that strengthen wellbeing, reduce isolation and build connection and belonging.
04
Community Advocacy and Service Improvement
Community-led advocacy that turns community experience and evidence into practical improvements with providers and decision-makers.
Our focus
Built With Communities, Evidence and Partners
Four foundations will support every area of NHA’s work and help us grow carefully without duplicating services that already exist.
Community Participation
Communities help identify priorities, co-design activities and review whether the work is useful and respectful.
Evidence and Evaluation
Research, community knowledge and feedback help us choose priorities, design services and measure what changes.
Community Capability
We aim to strengthen the skills of volunteers, community researchers, navigators and emerging community leaders.
Partnerships
We work with communities, health and disability providers, researchers, funders and public organisations rather than working alone.
Research and Service Development
Using evidence to shape practical services
As part of developing our services, we are planning Auckland-based research with former refugees and people seeking asylum. This work will build on existing New Zealand evidence, identify local priorities and help shape practical, community-led services and programmes.
One part of our wider mission
Research supports NHA’s direction. It will help us prioritise and design our first programmes, while our purpose and four areas of work remain broader than any single project.
An open invitation
Help shape what comes next
We welcome conversations with community members, health and disability organisations, researchers, funders and people who would like to volunteer their skills.