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Second homeland benefits from tech skills

Reza Hakimyar (left) with Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon at the inaugural Aotearoa Refugee Hui at Parliament last year.

Reza Hakimyar has landed on his feet, enjoying his place with the first major Aotearoa Refugee Hui held at Parliament late last year.

16 March 2023
3 minute read

“Aotearoa is my second homeland now” 

Reza Hakimyar was part of a mixed refugee contingent meeting with Race Relations Commissioner and former Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon, academics, advocacy groups, government service delivery officials, immigration policy writers, researchers and other refugee support stakeholders at Parliament near the end of last year.

The hui was hosted by MPs Ibrahim Omer and Vanushi Walters. 

Settling in New Zealand

Arriving in New Zealand in late 2021 as part of the Afghan evacuation, Reza has made the most of resettlement help to establish his technology business and to settle in his new home.

“I studied software engineering at Kabul University,” says Reza.

“I worked with several national and international organisations in Afghanistan.

“As an IT Coordinator at the Organization for the Empowerment of Rural Women (OERW), I enjoyed helping businesswomen, and the community in general with their technology needs.”

“I lived in Kabul and everything was going well enough, but after the collapse of the Afghan government the situation became dangerous and everyone thought only about saving their lives.”

“I was fortunate to be evacuated with the help of the New Zealand government,” says Reza.

“I grew up in an educated family. My father worked as a district governor and also as an immigration director in Afghanistan, and my siblings have master's and bachelor's degrees.

“Due to the insecurity in 2016 while I was studying for my bachelor's degree at Kabul University, my family went to Turkey where they still live as refugees. I miss them very much.”

“I like New Zealand. It is full of opportunities for study and business with a great atmosphere where ideas and dreams can come true.”

Building his business

Reza says the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) helped him set up his business, with MSD providing two mentors for this.

Reza sits in a blue shirt with a book.Ange McKenzie of MSD and private business consultant Darryle Arnold helped apply for MSD’s Flexi Wage Grant for new businesses. They worked with Reza to develop a business plan for the funding assessor, and he hopes to get funding to promote his business.

“With their help I have set up SpotTech Software Development, a tiny start-up software development company with a refugee background,” says Reza.

“Our aim is to serve non-profit organisations, new start-up companies and government agencies through technology. SpotTech offers website, mobile apps and customized software applications for local SME businesses and NGOs.

“We design and develop websites for Kiwi companies, and work in partnership with the ChangeMakers Resettlement Forum and an English language NGO,” says Reza.

ChangeMakers Resettlement Forum is a Wellington-based NGO helping New Zealanders from refugee backgrounds participate fully in Aotearoa New Zealand life through advocacy, training, mentoring, capacity building, research and community development activities.

They also support a Leaders Council, made up of leaders from the various former refugee groups they work with.

Reza says he also worked with the NGO English Language Partners, who say they “teach English language for everyday life and work to former refugees and migrants to help them settle well and succeed.”

English Language Partners has 22 language centres across the country.

“I appreciate the support I have been given and appreciate being able to use my skills and experience here,” says Reza.


Find more information about the 2022 Aotearoa Refugee Hui on the Beehive website:

Hon Phil Twyford's speech to Aotearoa Refugee Hui

English Language Partners