Leaving the fear behind

By GRAHAM REID

The people from Myanmar arrive wrapped in woollen jumpers, beanies pulled down tight against the winter chill of Auckland.

New Zealand's newest citizens are being welcomed at the Mangere Reception Centre on a crisp morning when breath is visible in the air.

The 132 refugees from Burma, also known as Myanmar, are beginning a six-week orientation course for what immigration officer Thongyanh Keokotavong tells them is "your new home country."

Many in the group are visibly weary after their flight from Bangkok and a six-hour stopoff in Kuala Lumpur. A number suffered air sickness. Most could not eat the airline food.

These are people who had not travelled by air before and many had only the sketchiest of idea where they were headed.

But anywhere was better than where they had been.

This first intake of refugees under New Zealand's annual quota of 750 - another 28 are expected in September - came from the Maneeloy camp near Bangkok and are recognised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as being unable to return home for fear of political persecution.

The group are from the majority Burman and minority Karen and Mon ethnic groups, but prefer to be described as being from Myanmar - especially the minority groups - to distinguish them from the Burman majority that controls the military Government.

The refugees know very little about New Zealand, although some of the men speak a little English. Many also speak Thai.

Interpreters helping the Immigration Service come from Burman, Karen and Mon peoples already established in New Zealand. This intake effectively doubles the number and the local community is enthusiastic about the new arrivals.

Translator Minmin Sagaw, who arrived in Auckland four years ago as an asylum-seeker, speaks Burmese, Thai and English as well as his native Karen language.

Granted residency and now working as a packer in a factory, the 32-year-old former teacher tells of his mountain village of 40 families being regularly invaded by troops of the State Law and Order Restoration Council.

Finally, in 1995, the village was torched. His wife was away when villagers were forced to flee. He has no idea where she might be.

"For me the gun was like music," he says. "There was always guns just going on like the music all the time. I am very scared, even now when I see someone in a uniform."

He hid in small Thai villages and worked as a dishwasher in restaurants. With the help of friends, he bought a fake Thai passport, hid in Bangkok for a few months and then, with little warning, was put on a plane.

"I know nothing about New Zealand. I had no idea it was a small island. I just get on the plane and pray to God."

Today, there are over 20 million refugees around the world, most in dire circumstances. However, United Nations figures suggest that fewer than 2 per cent will be resettled, like Mr Sagaw, in another country.

In this context New Zealand taking 750 people annually - last year's intake of 410 Kosovars was in addition to that agreed quota - seems meagre.

But as Refugee and Migrant Services director Peter Cotton notes, our intake is greater than Australia's per head of population. While agencies dealing with refugees may be under-resourced, our resettlement results have been admirable.

Refugees stay at Mangere for six weeks and are given comprehensive medical checks, are told about New Zealand society, offered English lessons and given permanent residency, which entitles them to benefits. They also enter our tax system.

There is a small re-establishment grant of $1200 for each family to cover beds, clothing, appliances, transport and the like, and an $800 recoverable loan to help with rent and bond. Both are often inadequate in the Auckland rental property market.

Before 1997, many refugees were charged the cost of their airfare to get here, but that has been waived and fares are now paid by the Government.

Mr Cotton at last feels "someone has turned the light on in the Government" and issues pertaining to refugees' well-being are being listened to.

The immigrants - a Herald series

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