The 100 international residents who have attended the classes say they feel "less isolated and disconnected from society".

The English classes are held at the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church every Tuesday.

Jane Cong Ye organises the classes. They started in February.

The aim is to help people who are struggling to speak English, learn and practise with others in a similar position.

It provides a place for the students to feel safe and heard, she says.

"Lots of immigrants, they've been here for a long time but because of their English deficiency, they are isolated and disconnected from society.

"So their lives are very tough here. We just want to help."

Many nationalities

People from more than 25 nationalities have attended the programme since it began.

Their reasons for wanting to improve their English skills vary.

One student, Merry Huang, is learning English so she can fit in better.

"I came for the reunion with my husband and my kids, and they have a very good understanding of New Zealand here and I need to too."

Jose Donojo has attended every class so far. They have given him tools to better express himself he says.

"I always said I'm good but now I say I'm marvellous."

Another student, Harvey Chen, says the classes have helped him grow his confidence.

"After coming here, I found my courage and am not afraid of making mistakes. That's why I can speak more and more fluently."

The classes

The two-hour classes are taught by experienced English teachers and volunteers from the church.

They have sorted the students into groups from beginners to advanced speakers.

This way, everyone has the opportunity to practise and be heard while not being overwhelmed.

The organisers believe the classes have made a meaningful improvement for the students. They are helping them feel more comfortable in their daily lives around the city, they say.

Source

• Otago Daily Times

Zuhaib Abbas Bangash has been feeding the homeless every Sunday from 5.30 pm at his West Auckland shop, Glen Eden Kebab, at Glenmall since November 3.

But the selfless act has been criticised by the Glen Eden Business Association, who Bangash says told him to stop.

Bangash moved to New Zealand eight years ago after he fled Pakistan from the tribal district Parachinar when it came under Taliban control. Continue reading

Immigration policy towards the Pacific, including the quota system which is drawn by random ballot, has been criticised for being outdated and discriminatory.

Labour MP Iain Lees-GallowayLabour MP Iain Lees-Galloway Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway said New Zealand is expected to carry out a review over 2019 and 2020.

Over the 2016 to 2017 period, 1121 gained residence under the Samoan Quota scheme.

During the same period, a further 655 gained residency from Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati and Fiji through the Pacific Access Category.

Source
radionz.co.nz

Just 18 months ago the young Filipino immigrant was thrust into an alien environment, a Kiwi Catholic school, and it was a case of either sink or swim.

Not long after enrolling in Masterton's Chanel College during term two last year he scored one of the lowest in his year group on the Australian English exam; now he is dux. Continue reading

Kirk 'Seamus' Robertson and his Vietnamese partner, Pham​ Thu Thuong​ Nguyen, known as Thuong, were married at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oxford, North Canterbury on Saturday. Continue reading

Negative names for immigrants, like calling them "illegal" are not on, Francis says.

The media is guilty of this. They should stop perpetuating negative stereotypes and find out why people migrate, he says.

Francis offered a number of examples that may lead people to leaving their home countries. These included natural disasters, human rights violations and poverty. Read more