Speech
Wellington Refugees as Survivors Centre Fashion Show
Ladies and Gentlemen, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, CookIsland, Niue and Tokelau.
Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni
Specifically, I greet you: Denis Kirkcaldie, President of Rotary Club of Wellington, Derek Gill, Chair of FoRAS and Susan Gill; Jeff Thomas, General Manager Refugees as Survivors; Ranka Margetic-Sosa, Clinical Director of Refugees as Survivors and Miriam Gibson, designer.
It is an important occasion for two reasons the first so as to be able to see the 2007 Winter Collection of New Zealand couturier/fashion designer Miriam Gibson.
Susan, who has found Miriam Gibson's clothes to be stylish and practical, has said to me that tonight is a happy coincidence for Miriam's involvement.
Secondly, we are here to raise money for the Wellington Refugees as Survivors Centre.
This second matter is of course a primary objective of this evening. Your presence here tonight suggests that this objective has been achieved at least to some degree. If you are also inspired by Miriam Gibson's fashions and entertained by the show, then both objectives for this evening will have been achieved.
It is fortuitous that Government House in Wellington is the setting in which refugees can be offered support.
Wellington is an important centre for refugees in New Zealand. The capital city has a large and growing refugee population. The latest count suggests refugees make up as much as 2 percent of the total regional population.
Refugees come to New Zealand as part of an annual quota filled by people who have no choice but to leave their home because of a threat to their lives.
Often these people have suffered abuse, including torture and may in the past have known little else but a life of violence and fear.
Sometimes they bring their families, if they can. But this is not always the case.
We could be tempted to believe that once refugees are in New Zealand they can begin a new life free from the trauma of their past.
Certainly, the refugees who come to New Zealand may be said to be the fortunate ones.
But, life is not so simple.
Many new refugees remain deeply affected by what they have experienced and require extensive support - not only to process the past, but to adapt to life in a new country. The difficulties they face are often compounded by cultural and language issues.
Something as simple as catching a bus into the city can seem a huge challenge to those newly arrived.
The ability to adapt can be further hindered by what is seen in the news. Many refugees have left friends and relatives behind. Whenever a fresh report of violence, their worlds are rocked once again.
It is a responsibility, for a nation which welcomes refugees, to ensure all refugees that are supported in their new country. This is important both for the individual refugees, as well as for all refugee communities in the long-term.
To ensure refuge, an environment should be present in which refugees feel welcomed by all New Zealanders. This is important if we are to guarantee their futures here are sustainable in the long-term.
This requires inter-agency co-operation and a deep understanding of the individual needs of refugees.
From what I have been advised the Wellington Refugees as Survivors Centre is an important link in New Zealand's support mechanism.
The Centre works with refugees who have suffered trauma and provides counselling, and ongoing support, to adjust to life in New Zealand.
The Centre has around 2,000 interactions with refugees each year, and approximately 50 new clients a year. Support extends to the families and communities of refugees and it can last several years, depending on the need.
I would like to extend thanks to the Centre staff. Your work is as demanding as it is important.
I would also like to thank Friends of Refugees as Survivors. FoRAS from what I have also learned, is a hard-working body dedicated to helping increase the capabilities of Refugees as Survivors. Susan is proud to be it's Patron.
Finally, I would like to thank those who have contributed time and resources to make this evening's event a success - the Rotary machine energised by Helen Agar, the seamstresses, models, dressers, hairdressers and the talented Miriam Gibson.
I began speaking in all the New Zealand realm languages. May I close by speaking in Maori issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.
No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora koutou katoa.