We help eligible job seekers from a refugee background find work.
The Pathways to Employment service helps eligible job seekers from a refugee background find work.
We can support eligible job seekers to:
New Zealand Red Cross (NZRC) delivered this service until 30 June 2026. It is now delivered by English Language Partners.
We deliver this service under contract to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). This means there are some differences between the current service and the NZRC service. The main differences are:
It does not matter how long you have been living in New Zealand.
We can help people to find work who have just arrived. We can also help people who have been in New Zealand for many years.
To get support from the Pathways to Employment service you must be:
Refugee background means you arrived in New Zealand through one of these pathways:
Our service is not available everywhere in New Zealand. There are nine places in New Zealand where we can help you find a job with the support of a work broker.
North Island
South Island
Other settlement locations in New Zealand
If you live in Ashburton, Blenheim, Masterton, Timaru. Unfortunately, we cannot provide support through the Pathways to Employment Programme. This may change in the future.
We can help you learn English if you live in Ashburton, Blenheim, Masterton, or Timaru.
We can't help everyone who is looking for work. We can only help people who are receiving a benefit from Work and Income New Zealand.
Full-time work means more than 30 hours per week.
If you are available to work a minimum of 20 hours per week and you want to work full-time in the future, we may be able to help. Get in touch and we can discuss your circumstances.
The definition of full-time tertiary study is on the Study Link website. Full-time definition - StudyLink When you meet a work broker, they will help you understand how this applies to your situation.
If you are an eligible job seeker, it does not matter what your English level is. We can help you find work.
We can also give you advice on learning English and help you enrol in one of our English programmes.
Our online form is the best way to contact the Pathways to Employment Team. Using the form helps us send your enquiry to a work broker who can help you.
Our work brokers are based at the following centres:
Job market orientation sessions are available for recently arrived quota refugees in 13 settlement locations in New Zealand.
You will attend one of our orientation sessions after you leave the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre. You do not need to contact us. You will receive an invitation.
Contact us if you’re an employer interested in making a difference in the life of a refugee-background job seeker: Information for employers about the Pathways to Employment Service.
Information for employers
For general questions about Pathways to Employment email employment@englishlanguage.org.nz
