The migrant experience: All races welcome

Karel Adriaens does not "actively hunt out" migrant workers, but the managing director of Coupland's Bakeries estimates 10 per cent of the 150-strong workforce at his Christchurch headquarters are originally from outside New Zealand.

He admits that occasionally there has been a bit of "tension and resentment", but it is usually down to cultural differences and simply talking and educating people breaks down any barriers.

For example, some of his first migrant workers had spent a lifetime going to the toilet above a hole in the ground.

"We had to teach them how to use the Western-style toilet properly and teach existing staff that there was nothing wrong in what they were doing, but a slight difference in culture. No drama," says Mr Adriaens.

The 45-year-old says employing immigrants has been an education for both the newcomers and the existing workforce - and positives outweigh the negatives.

"There are no more problems than with a Kiwi workforce. It's just different sorts of problems."

The family-owned business boasts a manufacturing plant and 20 South Island stores, employing about 300 people in all.

Mr Adriaens found himself in the limelight when he employed five Afghan refugees who had arrived in New Zealand from the container ship Tampa. In 2000 they were among hundreds rescued by the Norwegian ship from their sinking boat off Western Australia.

Of those five, three are still with the company. One has moved on to a new job and one has gone back to full-time study.

"Some struggled with English, but we get through it and they are good workers."

He says people are not defined as Kiwis, or by their ethnic backgrounds, beliefs or religions, though there is a need to be sensitive.

While there are inevitable "ups and downs", Mr Adriaens says there is rarely a major problem.

"Often, people only have positive stories to tell."

Mr Adriaens' parents migrated from the Netherlands and, though he was born in New Zealand, he was targeted for being different while growing up.

He wonders if that makes him more open-minded than other employers, and blames ignorance of other cultures for migrant unemployment. There is a fear factor, he says, but if people are prepared to give it a go, they will not be letdown.

At Coupland's, he says, the migrant staff have enhanced others' understanding and knowledge, which opens up opportunities for everyone.

Where you might expect "scenarios of separation", he says, it has not happened. Problems are dealt with through simple discussion and learning.

"My advice would be to give it a go. The whole operation here is better for it."