We, the Outsiders Photo: Dianna Thomson
The number of new migrant workers has dropped to its lowest levels since borders reopened in Aotearoa New Zealand two years ago. But as RNZ reported this week, the numbers of complaints against employers have soared to record levels.
550 migrants or their advocates laid complaints last month. It comes as less than 2000 overseas workers arrive. Meanwhile Immigration New Zealand reports they have revoked the accreditation of 500 employers.
For 200 years this has been a land of immigrants, welcoming successive waves of peoples and their cultures.
We, the Outsiders Photo: Dianna Thomson
We, the Outsiders is a documentary theatre piece created and inspired by migrant workers' experiences. After seasons in Ōtepoti Dunedin and Pōneke Wellington earlier this year, it’s heading this month to Auckland and Whāngarei Fringe Festivals before heading to the Melbourne Fringe.
Romina Meneses Photo: Dianna Thomson
We, the Outsiders focuses on the challenges migrant workers face but there’s also humour, and what appeals about Aotearoa so much. Dramatised verbatim retellings by three performers have been based on interviews and testimonies.
Produced by the South Arts Collective, the work is written, directed and co-performed by Romina Meneses.
Meneses has first-hand experience of arriving here and not being able to speak the language. She came to Aotearoa in 2018, when her home country Chile was dealing with unrest. She had been an actor in Chile and has gone on to do a Masters in Fine Arts at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University. This enabled Menses to interview more than 30 immigrants on work visas who have English as a second language.
She spoke with Culture 101’s Mark Amery.
