Belong Aotearoa
We work to drive transformational change to improve inclusion, belonging and wellbeing for refugee-background and migrant communities.
For more than 20 years, Belong Aotearoa (Formerly known as Auckland Regional Migrant Services Charitable Trust) has worked to understand the settlement experience for newcomers to New Zealand and to influence and advocate for migrants and former refugees to have access to better opportunities and wellbeing outcomes.
Our Work
Our work improves the well-being for former refugee and migrant communities by challenging the systems that make it hard to settle in Aotearoa.
Our People
Our diverse team brings a broad range of skills and experience to the work we do. Learn more about our people.
Get Involved
Your support helps Belong Aotearoa to improve the settlement experience for migrants and refugees in Aotearoa.
Safari is a safe multicultural place for children aged 0-5 to learn through play whilst mothers learn new skills.
We run six playgroups across Auckland, where mums stay with their children for the morning and connect with others.
We provide a van transport service for mums and children to get from home to playgroup. A small koha of $2 is asked for this service, and this is the only cost. Attendance at the playgroup itself is completely free.
For mums, Safari offers lots of support, including free English classes, parenting courses, health awareness workshops, and librarian visits. This is also a chance to connect and make friends with other mums.
Interested in our Safari Playgroups? Click here to learn more.
Help us build an inclusive, connected Aotearoa where newcomer communities thrive and contribute to our shared wellbeing. Your donation makes this vision possible.
As we enter 2026, an election year in Aotearoa, our CEO, Angela Wilton reflects on the challenges ahead, from global instability affecting our communities abroad to the continued scapegoating of migrants at home. Despite the frustration and division tactics we're seeing, this year offers an opportunity to keep equity, manaakitanga, and Te Tiriti-centred futures front and centre. Plus updates on poll data showing overwhelming support to curb migrant exploitation, events, and essential resources for our communities.