Edited Content
Auckland, June 14, 2018
More than 10,000 people are expected to visit the ANZ Migrant Expo 2018, scheduled to be held at ‘The Cloud’ at Queen’s Wharf, Auckland City on Saturday, June 16, 2018.
The Expo, sixth in an annual series, will focus on helping migrants understand New Zealand’s education system, employment, living and the community support offerings available.
ANZ Head of Migrant and Auckland Asian Banking Jack Hou said that the ANZ Migrant Expo started in 2013 with 12 exhibitors.
Impressive growth
“This year, the full-day Expo has grown to include more than 70 stalls, eight educational seminars and seven cultural performances, with organisers expecting more than 10,000 visitors. We hosted our first Expo to provide practical information and access to services to help migrants settle, integrate and thrive in New Zealand. That is still very much what our Expo is about this year. The 2018 ANZ Migrant Expo is focused on providing information across four key areas: the New Zealand education system, employment, living in New Zealand and public services,” he said.
Seeds of success
Lyla Chia Lin-Lee moved to New Zealand from Taiwan in 2016, knowing little about the culture, the work environment or the public services available. An Inter-bank Trading Broker in Taiwan, she had recently married a Kiwi and was looking forward to starting her new life in New Zealand.
Eventually finding work in Trade Support on Auckland’s North Shore, Ms Lin-Lee credits her professional success in New Zealand to the ANZ Migrant Expo.
“Initially I found settling into New Zealand culture quite tough; everything was different to what I knew. But, the ANZ Expo was life-changing,” she said.
Helpful professionals
“Access to every service you need was right there under one roof. I spoke to human resources professionals who helped me update my CV to be attractive for the local market; I met with Chinese community groups, I made friends with other recent migrants, and I learnt about the local public services available,” Ms Lin-Lee said.
Mr Hou said that the Expo was created to help new New Zealanders like Ms Lin-Lee access practical advice and public services as they settle into life in Aotearoa.
Rising migrant population
“Migration has almost doubled since 2014 and as a result we’re seeing more demand for migrant services. At ANZ we understand the complexities of moving to a foreign country, and the courage it requires. There are practical tasks such as acquiring housing, IRD numbers and jobs, alongside understanding new customs which can be daunting – especially if you don’t speak the language,” he said.
“The Expo is for anyone wanting to progress here in New Zealand – whether they have recently immigrated or lived here their whole lives. We are proud to partner with experts from government agencies and community groups bringing them together in one place to benefit a range of New Zealanders,” Mr Hou added.
Positive response
He said that tens of thousands of migrants have joined ANZ to learn more about life in New Zealand.
“We have had positive feedback from previous ANZ Migrant Expos, with visitors saying it was life-changing. The Expo has helped visitors understand the New Zealand environment, make friends and business contacts, find flatmates and even land job interviews.
“We look forward to meeting, talking with and helping people who are new to New Zealand at The Cloud on Saturday,” Mr Hou said.
Admission to the 2018 ANZ Migrant Expo at The Cloud is free.
What: ANZ Migrant Expo 2018
Who: ANZ Bank
When: Saturday, June 16 from 10 am to 430 pm
Where: The Cloud, Queens Wharf, Auckland
Admission: Free
Highlights: Eight seminars and more than 70 stalls
Cultural Performances and Family-friendly events
Key Participants: Employment NZ, Immigration NZ, Inland Revenue Department, NZ Police, Vodafone, Air New Zealand, New Zealand Indian Central Association and Chinese New Settlers Services Foundation.
Website anzmigrantexpo.co.nz
