About Migrant Action Trust

Migrant Action Trust (MAT) is a non-profit charitable trust incorporated in January 2003. (registration A/K1268656)

Our founders started meeting as early as February 2002. The first batch of people present at the time were:

Alice and Noli Lacaba
Agnes Granada
Richard Barter
Harry Singh
Birgit Grafarent
Natalia Maz
Lydia Duacaiova
Jaromir Pistora and
Whay Leng Quek

MAT is grateful to Tear Fund for there wonderful support from the beginning, especially during the commencement of the organization and providing us with a meeting place.

MAT’s objectives:

To encourage migrants to help other migrants
To encourage self-help towards economic productivity and be part of the New Zealand community
To develop programmes and/or cooperate with other groups to assist the settlement of migrants and refugees
To provide an understanding of living in New Zealand and what the Treaty of Waitangi says about migrants
To promote participation in the democratic processes of New Zealand especially in issues directly affecting them
To promote the contributions of migrants and refugees to New Zealand

People engaged in achieving MAT’s vision:

appreciate New Zealand and what it stands for
have a genuine interest in migrant and refugee issues
deliver services of a high standard in relationship building and information dissemination
are goal directed
act when it’s needed
are migrants and refugees who can relate to others of similar situations
believe in the transfer of skills and empowerment
respect all cultures and believe in equal opportunities for all

The success of the organization is largely attributed to the hard work and commitment of its volunteers and unpaid advisers. Currently, the present migrants engaged in the organization are:

Trust Board, of 6 members namely:
1. Camille Nakhid, Chairperson
2. Asoka Basnayake, Vice-Chair
3. Richard Barter, Secretary
4. Navin Kumar Sharma, Treasurer
5. Tanya Sun, Board Member
6. Remi Cruz

Two staff and two sub-contractors

over 40 volunteers (mostly migrants) as below

Akio Teramoto – IT Volunteer	Ado Flores – Resource Speaker
Alma Soriano – IT Volunteer	Aqsa Mohan – Office Administration
Asoka Basnayake – Resource Speaker and Deputy Chairperson of MAT	Camille Nakhid – Resource Speaker and Chairperson of MAT
Cristine Panuelos – Event Resource Person	Dennis Maga – Resource speaker
Jane Yee – Legal Advisor	John Corban – Micro Enterprise Adviser
Joy Caballero – Resource Speaker	Julie Ilagan – Event Resource Person
Kenneth Leong – Resource Speaker	Kevin Fontanilla – Graphics Designer
Len Sanvictores – IT Volunteer	Liza Atkinson – CV and job alert Volunteer
Martin Fontanilla – Office Administration	Mel Libre – Resource Speaker, Advocacy and Media
Myrna Guevarra – Event Resource Person	Nikki Gamer – Office Administration
Paolo Collado – IT Volunteer	Quan Qiu – IT Volunteer
Remi Cruz – Resource Speaker and Trust Board Member of MAT	Richard Barter – Secretary of MAT
Romeo Ipapo – IT Volunteer	Rommel Coronel – IT Volunteer
Rommel Villadiego – Event Resource Person	Russell Wood – Advocacy Adviser
Stella Roque – Accounting Volunteer	Tanya Sun – Mentor and Trust Board Member of MAT