NZ agents investigate Samoan migrants? poor living conditions

After cries for help on a New Zealand radio station from Samoan migrants living in sub-standard Benneydale accommodation, Waitomo council is sending in agents to check the accommodation provided for the immigrant workers at a local meat factory.

One migrant reported broken windows, filthy carpets, no insulation or heating and fleas, adding she had to take her children to hospital for skin infection treatments. Te Kuiti Hospital manager Thia Priestly told the Waitako District Health Board that Samoan families arrive in Benneydale to take up jobs at Crusader Meats unaware that the town has no transport or shops.

According to Waitomo’s mayor, Brian Hanna, the council is now investigating reports of poor housing conditions in the town and is working to address the problem. Atul Prema, Immigration New Zealand’s acting settlement manager, insists no formal complaints have been noted, adding that the recent reports will be followed up.

Prema continued that Crusader Meats will be contacted and asked to explain their position, and stated the department takes the allegations seriously. WDHB medical staff are now involved, according to the medical officer of health.

Dell Hood said a community-based response to the problems has been initiated.She added that the problems as stated are not confined to Benneydale, but are occurring in other small, isolated communities which have developed around industrial plants, many of which have now closed.

Benneydale was once a mining town , with the local meat plant taking on those made redundant when the mine shut down. Crusader Meats were not available for comment, but it is believed management are working with the agencies involved. Of the plant’s 160 staff, 30 are immigrant Samoans.