New Settlers Family and Community Trust: Finalist in the E Tū Whānau Ann Dysart Kahukura Award 2026

July 15, 2026

This purple and back logo for E Tū Whānau kahukura depicts three kuaka in flight through a spiral graphic.

Mā mua ka kite a muri, mā muri ka ora a mua.
Those who lead give sight to those who follow, those who follow give life to those who lead.

For many refugee and migrant whānau, finding support, connection and belonging in a new country can be challenging. For more than two decades, New Settlers Family and Community Trust (NFACT) has been helping people navigate that journey with dignity, understanding and care.

A trusted refugee support organisation, NFACT was honoured as a finalist in the E Tū Whānau Ann Dysart Kahukura Awards held at Ōrongomai Marae, Upper Hutt on 1 July 2026. This was in recognition of its longstanding commitment to helping whānau build new lives and strong connections in Aotearoa.

Fahima Saied, New Settlers Family and Community Trust CEO, is pictured wearing a headscarf and holding a Kahukura Awards certificate and flowers. She is with Heni Turner, E Tū Whānau Kaiwhakahaere, and Katie Murray. All three women are smiling.
Fahima Saied, NFACT CEO (left) with Heni Turner, E Tū Whānau Kaiwhakahaere, and Katie Murray at the Awards.

New Settlers Family and Community Trust – Creating belonging in Aotearoa

NFACT creates safe, inclusive spaces where whānau and families feel seen, heard and valued as they navigate settlement, healing and belonging in Aotearoa.

“NFACT’s leadership is steady, consistent and real, quietly creating positive pōkarekare that ripples through individuals, their families and entire communities.”

Sally Clarkson, E Tū Whānau kaimahi

Through workshops, social and sporting groups, shared learning spaces and community connections, NFACT helps people rebuild confidence, strengthen relationships and rediscover a sense of belonging. It strengthens whānau by creating opportunities for them to step into their power, use their voices and give back to their communities.

Wraparound services include cultural and linguistically appropriate supports for refugees, asylum-seekers and other people from refugee backgrounds.

Walking alongside whānau on their settlement journey

NFACT’s mahi is grounded in lived experience and a ‘by our people, for our people’ philosophy that helps build trust, understanding and genuine connection.

Through counselling, social work support, leadership development and community learning opportunities, NFACT helps people build confidence, strengthen relationships and navigate life in Aotearoa while maintaining strong connections to culture, identity and whānau.

New Settlers Family and Community Trust whānau and kaimahi from E Tū Whānau and Māmā Neke Maunga who enjoyed rich connections together pose for a photo outside the whare nui at Pehiāweri Marae.
NFACT kaimahi and Afghan rangatahi with kaimahi from E Tū Whānau and Māmā Neke Maunga at Pehiāweri Marae. Fahima Saied is standing, second from left. Picture Credit: Marla Brown

All this mahi is delivered through a te ao Māori lens – a collective, relational approach that resonates naturally with those who work there and with those they serve.

NFACT CEO, Dr Fahima Saeid, says whānau they connect with understand and value the important place tangata whenua have in Aotearoa and they want to know more.

“They’re thirsty for knowledge about te ao Māori,” she says.

NFACT’s kaimahi understand that when you support one person, you’re supporting a whole whānau and when you uplift whānau, you enable communities to create real lasting change – not just for today, but for generations to come.