Creating enclaves of care among Muslim migrant women in Aotearoa New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

Abstract

Muslim migration to Western nations has increased in recent decades, with women facing unique challenges in resettling within secular societies such as Aotearoa New Zealand. While previous research has acknowledged challenges including skills transfer, trauma recovery, prejudice, and discrimination, this thesis foregrounds the strengths, resilience, and agency of Muslim women as they support one another and their wider communities. I explore how Muslim migrant women create supportive networks that foster confidence, independence, and empowerment. The study focuses on two Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland-based women’s groups: the Annisa Trust and the Azura Trust. The Annisa Trust, a volunteer collective of women from diverse ethnic and generational backgrounds, provides a prosocial enclave of care for vulnerable and newly arrived Muslim women and their families, while the Azura Trust emphasises economic empowerment and develops programmes to enhance financial independence through the efforts of both volunteers and paid staff. Adopting a narrative orientation within an auto-ethnographic, case-based approach, I immersed myself in the projects and practices of both groups during 2 years of fieldwork. Field notes and interviews documented shared activities and participants’ migration experiences. The analysis has drawn on migration concepts such as acculturation, cultural hybridity, hyphenated identities, and cultural articulation, alongside Islamic concepts of hijrah, madrasa, da’wah, and barakah. Hijrah frames migration as both relocation and making a positive contribution to the host society; a madrasa is understood as a community learning space; da’wah highlights collective efforts to bridge cultural and faith divides; and barakah refers to the blessings generated through communal care and empowerment. The findings have important theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, the research develops an Islam-informed analytical framework that enriches discussions on migration and resettlement by foregrounding cultural and spiritual resources. Practically, it highlights the effectiveness of self-organised women’s groups in fostering inclusion, resilience, and mutual aid. The study affirms the essential role of community-based support systems and cultural resources in promoting successful migration and integration experiences. Finally, I argue that the resettlement experiences of Muslim migrant women are dynamic and positive, highlighting their ability to adapt and contribute prosocially to the new society.