The Kiwi Kit Community Trust (Kiwi Kit) is a migrant and community reconnection programme in the Queenstown Lakes area.
Kiwi Kit is a relatively new trust operating since October 2020 and is focused on trying to address the disconnection of migrants in the Queenstown and Wanaka communities. The key purpose being to support and better connect migrants in our community to initiatives that will empower, educate, celebrate and provide a sense of belonging.
Their work has taken on increased importance in light of COVID-19 and the stresses that have been placed on the migrant community. This sector was not recognised for support in the COVID-19 response, many losing jobs and having a lack of security being on a working or holiday visa.
The group undertook the ‘Great Migrant Brainstorm’ in Wanaka and Queenstown to determine
the key issues and topics to look at from a migrant perspective.
From this they identified five key issues: disconnection from roots/ place of origin, disconnection from people and culture, disconnection from status, respect and dignity, disconnection from meaningful work and values, disconnection from sense of belonging.
They review this information three times a year, update changes and progress with the migrant community by reconnecting with a workshop.
Key work programme areas are telling the stories of migrants in the area, research and data collection about issues for the migrant community, presenting this information to community leaders, the public and social service agencies. Kiwi Kit is also creating migrant community sharing experiences such as safe welcoming spaces or events where migrants can join in on community activities, holding an ethnic festival and ethnic dinner and education evenings to explore / celebrate and introduce the various cultures of Queenstown. In partnership with Volunteer South the group run a community integration project