Welcome evening for new MDHB staff from overseas

12/09/2011 | Migrant Staff Welcome

A MidCentral District Health Board and Mayoral welcome evening will be held for new MDHB staff and their families, who have recently arrived from overseas, on Wednesday 14 September 2011. The evening will have a kiwiana theme and aims to help staff and their families settle into their new community.

MDHB Chairman, Phil Sunderland looks forward to welcoming these staff and their families to the organisation. MDHB is one of the largest employers in Palmerston North with around 2500 staff and Mayor Jono Naylor will also be attending to welcome the guests.

A crucial part of the evening will be the discussion about what worked well and what else can be done to welcome staff from overseas to the organisation and to the city. There will be activities for children and later, a mix and mingle with the opportunity to socialise and look at displays from local community groups.

Over the past two years MDHB has employed more than 80 new staff in a variety of roles who have come from Australia, Canada, Finland, India, Iraq, Ireland, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, Switzerland, Kenya, and South Africa.

MDHB Recruitment Consultant, Christine Wood said: “Migrant staff form an important part of our organisation. Many of our staff who have migrated to Palmerston North continue to undertake professional development, and many take on leadership and teaching roles within the DHB and the wider health sector.

“The evening will be an opportunity for these people to socialise with other staff who have migrated to Palmerston North, some just recently, and others who are now long term residents.

“Feedback from the evening will be used to improve the things we do to support employees and their families new to New Zealand.

“The value our new migrants add to both our organisation and our community goes beyond the specific work skills they bring and we want to ensure that as many as possible stay in Palmerston North long term.”

This event is supported by MidCentral DHB, Palmerston North City Council, and Settlement Support Services, Immigration New Zealand.

Contact: Communications Unit (06) 350-8945