Community partnerships

Engagement within Nelson’s former refugee and migrant community has never been stronger, according to Nelson City Council’s Welcoming Communities Coordinator, Bill Huppler.

He says communication and collaboration with the former refugee and migrant youth population has seen a real surge with the recent development of a wide range of programmes and events, including two sports tournaments.

“Last year we supported the organisation of the Multicultural Cricket Tournament at which we were so lucky to have several Blackcaps and Bangladeshi cricket team members in attendance.

“Then in March this year we held our Multicultural Football Tournament with a fantastic turnout of 16 teams from a variety of cultures.

“Events like these, along with the hugely successful annual Multicultural Festival to which NCC contributes $20,000, are meaningful ways of connecting communities within our region,” he says.

Another area in which Bill has seen huge growth is in Nelson City Council’s Community Investment Fund.
There used to be very few applications from refugee and migrant communities but the latest funding round in November 2023 saw almost 40% of the funding allocated distributed to these communities, including funding for Victory Community Centre to produce video resources, in the communities' languages, to support their preparation for, and resilience to, Civil Defence Emergencies.

 
NCC’s online engagement platform Shape Nelson has also risen to the challenge with pages now translated into 12 of the languages readily heard within Nelson, with work in the pipeline for this to increase where possible.

Bill started at NCC in June 2021, having moved from Auckland after a decade in the community sports and recreation sector.
He took on the role of Welcoming Communities Coordinator in May 2022, and his enthusiasm for the job is infectious.

“For me it’s about going out and talking to people, making a connection and building meaningful relationships from a position of trust.

“I want to start every relationship with a give – this is what we as an organisation can do to help you. I believe by doing this we are showing an understanding and respect for their position in the community, and their time.

“It could be as simple as providing a venue for their national day, or it could be having conversations with the broader council workforce, but it’s all about being a face that is seen,” he says.

Bill’s role also involves supporting the refugee, migrant and newcomer communities through their greatest needs.
These are social isolation, housing vulnerability, access to work and education opportunities, poverty and community wellbeing.

Bill says he sees himself as a navigator and a connector between those in need and the organisations and programmes in place to support them. 

“Most of us when we wake up in the morning check our phones to see what’s the latest news, or what’s on social media, but a former refugee from Burma for example is reaching for their phone to see if their loved ones back home are still alive.

“I would ask that all of us really try to be more mindful about the ongoing trauma so many of these communities are living with every day,” he says.

Bill says he’s come across many who believe we are not a diverse community but in fact there are 155 different nationalities that live in Nelson and 23.9% of all Nelsonians were born overseas. There are more than 2000 people living here from refugee backgrounds.

Asked how he would like to see Nelson and its refugee population work together Bill says it’s a two-way street for organisations and businesses.

”Come and talk, engage with the former refugee and migrant communities and ask how you can help them, and also find out what they can do for your organisation as well.”