Exemplary Practices of New Zealand Teachers Preparing Refugee Students for Resettlement: The First Six Weeks¹

Abstract

New Zealand (NZ) offers a unique entry to a new life for refugees, beginning at the Mangere Refugee Reception Centre (MRRC) just outside Auckland. The Centre includes the Mangere Refugee Education Centre (MREC), run by the Auckland University of Technology, that helps school-age students experience NZ-style education and adults gain English-language skills as well as information about NZ laws and culture. This qualitative study reviewed policies of the MREC and how they translate into practices to prepare refugee newcomers for life in NZ. Findings show careful practice of values emphasized in policy manuals, with primary goals of helping refugees feel welcomed and safe.

Citation

McBrien, J.L. (2023), "Exemplary Practices of New Zealand Teachers Preparing Refugee Students for Resettlement: The First Six Weeks¹", Wiseman, A.W. and Damaschke-Deitrick, L. (Ed.) Education for Refugees and Forced (Im)Migrants Across Time and Context (International Perspectives on Education and Society, Vol. 45), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 141-153. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-367920230000045008