Our Story
Hamilton Multicultural Services (HMS) Trust was established as a Charitable Trust in February 1999. The Trust was formed out of concern regarding the gaps in services for people from different cultural, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. The strategic focus of the Trust was to improve access for refugees and migrants to aid successful settlement and to increase the awareness of receiving communities.
The first service offered by the Trust was the provision of an Interpreting Service and in May of 2000 the Interpreting Service opened and operated from an office in Knox Street. The service still operates today under the name Decypher, and also provides translation of written documents.
The Trust moved in October of 2004 to the Multicultural Centre in Boundary Road (the former Marist Rugby Club rooms). In October 2006 the Multicultural Centre was renamed the Waikato Migrant Resource Centre, and in December 2017 it became Settlement Centre Waikato.
A society that values and celebrates the diversity of all people
VISION
Paving the way for successful settlement
MISSION
Our Goals
Relationship building
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To connect, support, and advocate for the refugee and migrant communities
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To maintain and establish stakeholder relationships
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To foster participation of newcomers in the community
Empowerment
To enable refugees and migrants to be engaged members of the community.
Capacity building
To strengthen the organization, grow existing projects while developing new ones.
Our Values
Trust
We create a safe environment.
We show empathy and respect to all.
Quality Service
We are professional.
We put people first.
Integrity
We do what we say.
We are honest and accountable.
Inclusivity
All people matter.
We are connected and have a sense of belonging.
Strategic Priorities
Brand and Communications
Success Statement
We are widely considered as a trusted enabler of successful settlement
Enterprise
Success Statement
We intentionally seek new opportunities within our core work
Engagement and Responsiveness
Success Statement
What we do responds to immediate individual need, is for the greater good, and supports community participation and integration
Leadership and Talent
Success Statement
We work to our strengths, are flexible and adjust to
changing needs