about us
About New Haven Aotearoa
New Haven Aotearoa is a registered, community-led charitable trust working alongside refugee, asylum seeker and migrant communities to promote health, improve access, strengthen wellbeing and support more responsive services.
NHA is governed by a board and supported by a developing team. Our four areas of work are being developed and are not open for referrals yet.
Our story
Why NHA is Being Developed
Refugee, asylum seeker and migrant communities can face practical, cultural, language and accessibility barriers when using health and disability services. Information may be difficult to understand, suitable services may be hard to find, and community experience is not always reflected in decisions.
NHA was established with a wider health and wellbeing purpose. We are developing work in health promotion, health and disability access, community wellbeing, and advocacy for service improvement. Research, workforce development and partnerships support this purpose. They do not define the organisation on their own.
We want to connect community knowledge and existing evidence with practical action, while adding value to work already under way rather than repeating it.
Our purpose
Work alongside communities
To work alongside communities to promote health, improve access to health and disability services, strengthen community wellbeing and support more responsive services through culturally appropriate work.
Our Vision
Knowledge, dignity, confidence and choice
Refugee, asylum seeker and migrant communities in Aotearoa can access health and disability services with knowledge, dignity, confidence and choice.
Our values
What guides us
These values shape how we listen, plan and work with communities.
01
Compassion
We listen with care and treat every person with dignity.
02
Equity
We focus on unfair barriers and work towards fair access and outcomes.
03
Inclusion
We value different cultures, languages, identities, abilities and experiences.
04
Empowerment
We support people and communities to understand their choices, use their strengths and influence decisions.
who we are here for
Communities facing barriers to health and wellbeing
Our work is for refugee, asylum seeker and migrant communities. We particularly want to include newly settled families, disabled people and families who face barriers to health information, healthcare, disability support or community wellbeing services.
how nha works
Four foundations beneath our work
Our work will also be culturally safe, trauma-informed, disability-inclusive, rights-based and informed by Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Community Participation and Co-design
Communities should help identify priorities, shape activities and review results.
Research, Evaluation and Community Evidence
Evidence and lived experience should guide decisions and lead to practical improvements.
Community Capability and Workforce Development
We aim to develop volunteers, community researchers, navigators and emerging leaders.
Partnerships and Collaboration
NHA should work with existing services, researchers and communities rather than duplicate their work.
where we are now
Developing our first services carefully
NHA is developing four connected areas of work. We are not yet open for referrals. Our first programmes will be introduced carefully, based on community priorities, evidence, available resources and suitable partnerships.
As one part of this service development, NHA is planning Auckland-based research with former refugees and people seeking asylum. Disabled people and family caregivers will be intentionally included. The work will build on existing evidence and help shape practical programmes and referral pathways.
The trust’s board will provide governance oversight. The team will work to the agreed funding criteria, budget, privacy safeguards, monitoring measures and reporting requirements, with accounting support in place.
start a conversation
Build this work with us
We welcome community knowledge, practical skills and partnerships that can help NHA develop safely and purposefully.