The Quota Refugee Health Model in Action | Connecting Care, Changing Lives

As Aotearoa New Zealand continues its commitment to welcoming refugees through the Quota Programme, the health sector has adapted to meet evolving needs with greater coordination, cultural understanding, and care. Introduced alongside the increase in quota numbers on 1 July 2020, the Quota Refugee Health Model represents a significant step forward in ensuring former refugees and their whānau experience a seamless, supportive health journey. At the heart of this model is a practical and accessible eLearning module designed to empower the workforce delivering these essential services.

The 30-minute eLearning training module offers more than just an overview, it provides a comprehensive guide to the refugee health journey, beginning before arrival in New Zealand and continuing through resettlement into local communities. By mapping the full continuum of care, the module helps learners understand how each stage connects, ensuring health needs are identified early and managed consistently across services.

One of the key strengths of the module is its focus on coordination. Refugee health is inherently complex, involving multiple touchpoints across government agencies, health providers, non-governmental organisations, and community organisations. The module clearly explains how the Quota Refugee Health Model operates, highlighting the importance of a streamlined, cross-sector approach. It outlines how each role contributes to a shared goal: supporting former refugees to achieve equitable health outcomes and successfully settle into their new lives.

For those working directly with refugee communities, the module provides valuable tools to strengthen everyday practice. It emphasises culturally responsive care, encouraging practitioners to understand and respect the diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences of former refugees. Importantly, the module also supports professionals to reflect on their own role within the system. It clarifies responsibilities and fosters confidence in navigating complex service pathways. Whether you are a clinician, resettlement worker, or part of a government agency, the training helps you see how your work connects with others, making collaboration more effective and reducing fragmentation in care.

Designed for flexibility, the eLearning format allows busy professionals across the refugee sector to engage with the content at their own pace. It is available through multiple platforms:

Ultimately, the Quota Refugee Health Model eLearning module is a powerful enabler of better health outcomes. By building knowledge, fostering collaboration, and promoting culturally and trauma-informed practice, it supports a more connected and compassionate health system—one that recognises the resilience of refugee communities and works alongside them to ensure they thrive in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Contacts: 

Blessing Kanengoni-Nyatara, Senior Advisor (Acting), Refugee Health, Refugee and Migrant Support
Refugee and Migrant Services, Immigration New Zealand

The Quota Refugee Health Model in Action | Connecting Care, Changing Lives