The Salvation Army says with most migrants unable to return to their home countries due to travel and lockdown restrictions, the situation is becoming akin to a "refugee crisis" - with about 6,000 people needing urgent help.

Queenstown's Mayor Jim Boult said his council is keeping track of 9000 people in his area on temporary visas who have called for some form of assistance.

The Government says it is providing support for the migrant workers with support through Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM).

However, Boult said the CDEM funding had its limitations.

He understood it was only viable for a relatively short period of time and mainly consisted of food vouchers.

He said philanthropic people in his area had put together a fund to supplement CDEM support, but warned it would get used up "relatively quickly" and many migrants would be liable for eviction once lockdown lifted.

"Once the Civil Defence money runs out and once the supplementary wage runs out we're going to have some thousands of people who don't have an income and are in danger of not having a place to live."

The Salvation. Army's Community Ministries Queenstown director Lieutenant Andrew Wilson said those stranded included families and young people.

"They're the ones that have now been without income for upwards of four to even six weeks, and are still stuck in lockdown for a considerable period more and are staring down a barrel of no means of supporting themselves whatsoever."

He says short-term welfare will not resolve an ongoing issue.

"Giving food parcels and material goods is like putting a band-aid on the Titanic."

Source

• newsroom.co.nz
• rnz.co.nz
• tvnz.co.nz
• salvationarmy.org.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz

Sr Mary Anna Beard, OP, leaves for new pastures on Saturday, reported the Otago Daily Times.

"There is a sadness in our presence not being here, but the people will carry this charism on," Sr Mary Anna said.

"That's the way God works through communities. Our spirit will be carried on through the lives of these people."

Twelve members of the Dominican order attended Mass at St Patrick's in Arrowtown on April 3.

This was followed by a luncheon at the town's bowling club.

"I looked at the children at the service this morning and thought ‘Who's educating who?"' Sr Mary Anna said.

"They are so lovely, local kids whose parents want their faith nurtured.

"They might step away from it, then perhaps come back, who knows? But you plant the seeds. That's what's important."

Sr Mary Anna, originally from Invercargill, has lived in the resort for 10 years, living in Arrowtown, after serving in Asia.

"I simply devoured this place; the scenery, the people, just God's presence here."

Sr Mary Anna said she had not yet been told where her next posting would be.

"A neighbour said to me: ‘Isn't there a certain age where you don't have to move around?'

"But I said life is not about that. It is important to live fully, rather than think, now I'm 75 I better just sit down and start knitting."

St Joseph's Primary School principal Trisch Inder said Sr Mary Anna would be greatly missed.

"Her attitude about change is amazing.

"She says there's a reason for it and God knows what he's doing. We're all really sad that she's leaving, but it's part of her journey, too."

Sources

• Otago Daily Times
• Image: Waymarking.com

Father Tony Harrison, 63, has been parish priest in Queenstown for three years after stints at Oamaru, Invercargill's St Mary's Basilica, Alexandra, Dun­edin's St Joseph's Cathedral, and Milton.

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