About Canterbury Refugee Centre

The Canterbury Refugee Resettlement and Resources Centre (CRRRC) was founded in Christchurch as an incorporated society under New Zealand law in 2008 and was accredited for the Level 3 Social Sector Accreditation Standard. The CRRRC was established to provide a forum for former refugee groups, with a remit to advance a development agenda that was consistent with refugee priorities and the objectives of the resettlement agenda outlined by Immigration New Zealand.

At the outset, the founding members recognised the value that the views and endeavours that the refugee background people bring with themselves. The CRRRC aims to promote the future of former refugee background communities through the strong voice of its people by providing a forum. It is also committed in promoting partnership and collaboration with a wide range of civic organisations and stakeholders committing to effectively support and deliver the resettlement outcomes for refugees. In the first five years of operation, the CRRRC established the role of the council as advocacy, information brokerage, research, community development, relationship building, and communication and cross cultural education.

Independent of political or religious affiliations, the CRRRC is an autonomous, stand-alone, non-governmental, and not-for-profit organisation. The council represents diverse refugee ethnic communities in their needs in the wider Canterbury region. Our members come from different background with a similar vision; that is of settling in New Zealand.

Our values

It is imperative to us that we work cooperatively and harmoniously in all our endeavours. We firmly believe that refugees should be supported to find greater self-determination, while operating under the principle that every individual should have an equal role and opportunity in society.