Of the 560 people around the district who have put their hands up to volunteer during the COVID-19 pandemic, 80 are helping migrants who have found themselves in difficulty. Two Wanaka-based volunteers say being able to help has been hugely rewarding. 

Documentary filmmaker Paul Roy has spent hours on the phone talking to people who have asked for support. 

Paul’s work as a both a filmmaker and an AirB&B host ground to a halt when alert level four was introduced, so he got in touch with Volunteering Central.

“I figured there would be a big need and I had some spare time,” Paul said. “I think I was chosen for the Needs Assessor role because [as a filmmaker] I’ve had a lot of experience working with refugees and people in dire straits.”

“Lots of migrants in Queenstown were both ditched. They work like stink. Now they’re left with high rent and other bills and they’ve got nothing left to buy groceries.”

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“There are a lot of Filipinos and Indians in Queenstown who are dislocated from their homes now. Many Filipinos working in the construction industry were laid off straight away. Many of them were sending money home, trying to support half a dozen people there.”

Volunteering for the Queenstown Lakes District Council (and Civil Defence) Emergency Management Welfare Team, Paul is able to issue people with food vouchers which they can redeem at supermarkets, and he can refer them to agencies for other help.

He talks to up to 13 people a day.

“Most [migrants] are astonished they get anything at all. They are so grateful. There’s people here from every nation under the sky. They thought they would be left to sink or swim. They’ve been really struggling before they apply for help. People are under huge stress. They don’t know what’s happening.”

Katy Rowden is another Wanaka-based Needs Assessor. A mother of two, she had sold her online business last year and enrolled for a Masters in Social Work earlier this year, but pulled out when the pandemic took hold as she didn’t know if she would be able to pay the fees. She too got in touch with Volunteering Central, which has sent 40 people to join the emergency welfare team.

Katy Rowden said the need is growing among young New Zealanders too.

“I just wanted to do something useful,” Katy said. Seven weeks on, she’s happy to continue for as long as she’s needed.

“I don’t think anyone realised how great the need was out there. It’s overwhelming. There’s a lot of young travellers, first time away from home who were here on working holidays and have found themselves out of work and running out of money. The food vouchers have been a huge help for them. Some want to get home but more want to stay. They’re facing going back to countries where things are much worse than they are here. “

While anyone can apply to the Civil Defence Welfare Emergency Team for help, so far the majority of applicants have been migrants and people on visas.

“The need is growing amongst New Zealanders too,” said Katy. “There are young Kiwis who have never been unemployed and don’t even know who WINZ is.” 

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Assessors can send Kiwis to WINZ, but often need to give them food vouchers as well. Migrants haven’t been eligible for wage subsidies or accommodation supplements, although since May 12 they can get help with accommodation costs.

“Things are starting to bite. I suggest people talk to their landlords to try and get a rent reduction and most landlords have been good. I’ve got Kiwi couples who have both lost their jobs. They’ve still got expenses and some of them are desperate for a food voucher. People don’t know what will happen when the wage subsidies run out. That could be the end of a lot more jobs.”

Both Katy and Paul are impressed with the systems set up by Volunteering Central and QLDC.  

“They update stuff every day,” Paul said. “What help is available, and for whom, is constantly changing.

“I think the big crunch is still two months away. But it’s really nice to be able to help people. They’re incredibly grateful. I tell them they don’t need to feel bad about it. It’s not their fault.”

”Nobody knows what’s going to happen,” Katy says. “We can all get too wrapped up in how it’s affecting us. But there’s always someone who’s doing it tougher. People just want to be heard. Even five minutes of chatting can make them feel better.”  

PHOTOS: Supplied