That was the view of several recent immigrants in the city who discussed their experiences at a function yesterday to mark the opening of a new settlement resource centre in St Andrew St, Dunedin.
Church of Christ minister the Rev David Brown said the support centre would operate at Church of Christ Community premises from 11am to 3pm each Wednesday.
About 20 people attended the opening, including immigrants, clergy, lawyers involved with immigration-related issues, Dunedin City Council settlement support co-ordinator Fi McKay, and the Rev Noel Tiano, who will co-ordinate the centre.
Creating the centre was suggested by Dr Pamela Welsh, an African-born historian who lived in Zimbabwe before moving to New Zealand in 2001.
"It's wonderful because it will meet a real need to have a one-stop shop, where people can go to find out the myriad bits of information they need and to talk to people who are having a similar experience," Dr Welsh said.
Immigrants were providing vitally needed skills and it was in Dunedin's best interests for newcomers to settle happily, she said.
A survey released this week found that more than 90% of non-Europeans in Nelson experienced some form of racial abuse, including comments shouted from cars, NZPA reported.
A total of 184 people from 48 ethnicities took part in the survey.
Paul Naidu is manager of English Language Partners Dunedin, a non-profit-making organisation which provides voluntary support, including English tuition, for immigrants.
Mr Naidu, who immigrated from South Africa in 1999, said establishing the resource centre was "an absolutely awesome" move.
Dunedin was a "wonderful city" where he believed there were fewer problems with racial abuse or discrimination than in some northern centres.
Nevertheless, there were problems with cultural understanding, and some new immigrants found New Zealand expressions such as "smoko break" and "please bring a plate" utterly baffling, he said.
Rosie Victor-Hoogland, a former Middle East resident, said more funding and resources, including a field officer, should be provided to support new immigrants.
