Colombian Refugees in New Zealand and Their Resettlement Stories

This book explores the challenges that affect the integration of Colombian refugees in New Zealand. It is driven by a pragmatic question of what can be done to improve their integration in New Zealand. The literature research has identified a significant gap in the research about Colombian refugees in New Zealand. This research collected the experiences of 13 Colombian refugees in their process of resettlement and integration in New Zealand. The study used a qualitative methodological approach of an oral history methodology (ethnographic collection of oral stories). As data collection methods, the study used oral history interviews, a focus group and participants' personal diaries. The findings of this research indicated that former Colombian refugees are integrated into New Zealand. However, some of them are better integrated and adapted than others, but all of them feel love and much appreciation for New Zealand. In fact, Colombian refugees consider New Zealand as their second home and also identify themselves as Colombians, Ecuadorians and Kiwis. Nevertheless, they think that New Zealand has several shortcomings in its refugee resettlement programme.

Autorentext

Alfredo Jose Lopez Severiche é doutorado em ciências sociais e políticas públicas pela Universidade de Tecnologia de Auckland, Nova Zelândia. Tem também um mestrado em comunicação internacional e um mestrado em desenvolvimento internacional. Os seus interesses de investigação são estudos sobre refugiados e migrantes, estudos latino-americanos e qualidade de vida.