Growing community

For Arnis and Robin, supporting the Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre (SMRC) is about more than making a donation. It is about giving back to a community they have been part of for many years, supporting people whose journeys they understand, and investing in a place where people can feel connected, valued, and at home.

Their connection with SMRC spans more than 15 years. During that time, they have attended AGMs, kept up with the organisation’s work, volunteered their time, and watched its programs evolve to meet the changing needs of local migrants and refugees.

Today, they are particularly passionate about The Hive, a social support program where seniors come together to garden, share healthy meals, participate in physical activity, and, perhaps most importantly, build friendships and connection.

For Arnis, the connection to SMRC is personal.

“I may not look it but I’m actually a refugee myself” he says with a smile.

Arnis arrived in New Zealand with his parents as a baby. Although he was too young to remember the experience himself, he grew up watching his parents work hard to build a new life and adapt to a different culture and society.

“I saw how my parents worked very hard to fit into society” he says. “I just feel so lucky and I wanted to do something to give back”

For Robin, supporting migrants has also been a passion. She spent many years volunteering as an English teacher, helping people develop their language skills while navigating the challenges of settling into a new country.

“It’s something I’ve loved doing” Robin says. “I’ve got back as much as I hope I’ve given to those people. I’ve really enjoyed it over the years”

Today, Robin sees her support of SMRC as another meaningful way to contribute.

“Now that I’m older, I’m supporting migrants in a different way” she says.

Trust built over time

For Arnis and Robin, the decision to support SMRC financially was formed in something that cannot be built overnight: trust.

Over more than a decade, they have seen the organisation’s impact firsthand. They have met the people behind the programs, observed the work being done in the local community, and watched SMRC respond to the evolving needs of migrants and refugees.

“We live in this community. We see what SMRC is doing in this community. We like it, and that’s why we support it” Robin says.

Their early involvement was relatively simple. Yet those experiences gave them a deeper understanding of both the organisation and the important role it plays in supporting new and emerging communities.

As Robin explains, volunteering also helped them stay informed about the challenges migrants face and the support services available to assist them. That long term relationship is what makes their giving so meaningful. They are not simply hoping their contribution will make a difference. They have seen that difference for themselves.

Why the Hive matters

Their love for The Hive is closely connected to another shared passion, gardening.

For Arnis and Robin, gardening is more than a hobby. It provides an opportunity to stay active, spend time outdoors, and connect with others.

They understand how valuable these opportunities can be, particularly as people grow older, and they see those same benefits reflected in the lives of The Hive participants.

The program brings people together from a wide range of cultural backgrounds to garden, share meals, exercise, and enjoy each other’s company. It creates opportunities for friendships to flourish and helps reduce the social isolation that many older people can experience.

For Arnis, there is also something especially meaningful about the diversity of the people who come together at The Hive.

“We just love the multiculturalism here.”

Growing the Hive

With plans to expand The Hive, including accessible bathroom facilities and a weatherproof shelter, Arnis and Robin saw an opportunity to help the program welcome even more people.

Their support is helping SMRC work towards a space that can better meet the needs of its growing community, enabling seniors to continue gardening, sharing meals, exercising, and building friendships regardless of the weather or mobility challenges.

For Arnis and Robin, supporting the expansion was a natural extension of everything they have witnessed throughout their years of involvement with SMRC.

They understand the importance of connection, belonging, and community. They also know that sometimes the most meaningful form of support is creating a place where people feel welcome and valued.

Their story is a reminder that community giving is not only about the amount donated. It is about recognising a need, trusting the people working to address it, and choosing to be part of the solution.

For more than 15 years, Arnis and Robin have watched SMRC grow and strengthen its impact in the community.

Now, through their support of The Hive, they are helping it grow once again.

Want to make a difference with SMRC? Find out more below.