Aging & Social Change: Eleventh Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the quality of life of Latin American refugees and immigrants in New Zealand. The study of the academic literature shows a significant gap in this type of research in New Zealand. For example, no research has been conducted to show what the quality of life is like for Latin American refugees and immigrants in New Zealand. For this reason, this study seeks to fill that gap in the literature. The methodology used in this research was ethnography and autography. Semi-structured interviews and digital observation through Facebook were also used as qualitative data collection methods. Twenty Latin Americans living in New Zealand (11 immigrants and 9 refugees) were interviewed and observed. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data produced by this research. The findings of this study show that Latin Americans in New Zealand face several challenges that impact their quality of life in this country. However, despite these challenges they face, participants report that they enjoy a quality of life in New Zealand. The aspects that they consider to have contributed to their quality of life in New Zealand is enjoying peace, security, a home, a car, comfort at home, and above all being surrounded by friends and family.