New migrants to Nelson are now able to get the help they need with a one-stop shop website guiding them on the ins-and-outs of living in Nelson.

Nelson Tasman Settlement Support's new home at www.nelsontasmansettlementsupport.co.nz contains useful information and lots of local organisation contacts to help newcomers find schools for their children, locate housing, get around town, and start making sense of the health system.

Councillor Pete Rainey says, "It's obvious the Settlement Support programme is of great use to new migrants to Nelson. They like the personalised service that connects them with a variety of local organisations. The new website is a natural extension of that service - now folks can access the information 24/7."

Nelson Tasman Settlement Support (NTSS) is the local arm of Settlement Support New Zealand, a national programme that works to link migrants and refugees to local agencies and services that can support their settlement. NTSS follows on the New Zealand Settlement Strategy, which aims to ensure that newcomers to New Zealand feel welcomed and well settled.

Recent migrant Lori Parker, who moved to Nelson within the last year, says " I love the new website - it's easy to use with lots of information.  I can't wait to share it with everyone I know.  I'm sure it will also be helpful to even non-newcomers in Nelson who may not be aware of all of the incredible and varied services being offered by NCC."

Nelson City Council is the Nelson Tasman contractor for the Settlement Support programme. For more information or to contact NTSS directly, phone Sonny Alesana, Community Liaison Adviser, Settlement Support on 3 546 0305 or 0800 776 948 toll free in New Zealand.