Settlement stories : former refugee women’s settling experiences in Aotearoa New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of International Development at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract

With increasing numbers of refugees worldwide, the plight of women presents a significant development issue, with refugee women facing higher levels of violence and fewer education and employment opportunities when displaced. Yet, upon arrival in a resettlement country, settlement is not the end of the journey, and women face many challenges as they adapt to new systems and cultures. This research provides nuanced insights into the specific opportunities and challenges encountered by former refugee women as they settle and work in Kirikiriroa/Hamilton, Waikato, a resettlement city in Aotearoa New Zealand. Framing this thesis around concepts of “belonging”, this research focuses on two interconnected questions: How do women with refugee backgrounds create a sense of belonging in their everyday settling, and what are possible factors that could give women in employment a sense of inclusion? The settlement stories of six former refugee women from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Colombia were examined over a six-month period through a mixed methods approach. These methods included observation, semi-structured interviews, and photovoice. This study confirmed that belonging is a situated, and not fixed, state that is both an individual and collective lived experience. Belonging involves transnational communication, emotional connection, security, employment, and community support. Belonging is shaped by the interaction between individual agency and societal structures and negotiated through past and present affective experiences that span people and places. This research contributes to broader discussions on refugee settlement by illustrating how women create a sense of belonging in their everyday settings, including their homes and jobs in Aotearoa New Zealand. Results demonstrate that belonging cannot be assumed or guaranteed; it must be cultivated through relational, culturally sensitive approaches and ongoing support. The study outlines that true inclusion involves recognising lived experiences, fostering mutual understanding, and creating environments where former refugees can feel secure and thrive.