Migrant Action Trust

What Migrant Action Trust does

Migrant Action Trust (MAT) is a New Zealand charitable trust founded in 2003 and headquartered in Auckland, with operations across Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. It assists migrants and former refugees in integrating into New Zealand society through a portfolio of free programs: the Puketāpapa Community Driving School (PCDS) and Open Road Programme for driver licence preparation; the Migrants Supporting Migrants (MSM) Programme delivering employment workshops, CV/interview coaching, immigration consultation, and English language classes; and the C.A.R.E.S. Programme providing basic-needs support (email setup, online transactions, applications) to elderly resettlers and solo mums. The organization also operates MAT-ECARU, an ethnic-led research and advocacy unit producing original policy research on migrant worker exploitation.

The underlying technology stack is minimal: a Strikingly-hosted public website, an active Facebook page for community engagement, and an online booking portal (pcds.co.nz) for driving lessons, with email and phone as primary contact channels. There is no proprietary software platform, mobile application, or AI capability; service delivery is human-led through workshops, community programs, and qualified driving instructors.

The revenue model is that of a donation-dependent nonprofit. All end-user services are free; funding flows in via individual donations through Givealittle.co.nz, event fundraising (notably Round the Bays across three cities), and contracted research work with government bodies such as Immigration New Zealand. The organization employs approximately 9 staff and maintains an active volunteer pipeline, with no parent company, equity backers, or institutional investment structure. Strategic positioning has shifted toward policy advocacy in recent years, evidenced by the November 2025 MAT-ECARU research report on migrant construction worker exploitation and leadership roles within the International Migrants Alliance.

Name

Migrant Action Trust

Legal name

Migrant Action Trust

Website

https://migrantactiontrust.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Migrant Action Trust is a New Zealand charitable trust founded in 2003 that delivers free driving instruction, employment support, immigration assistance, and basic-needs programs to migrants and former refugees across Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Migrant and Refugee Community Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Educational Support Services (611710), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Immigrant & Refugee Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAG), Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ), Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH), Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI)

Keywords

• Migrant support services
• Community driving school
• Employment assistance programs
• Immigration consultation services
• Refugee integration support

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Migrant Action Trust is a New Zealand charitable trust that delivers free, migrant-led integration services to migrants and former refugees. Its core offerings include community driving instruction through the Puketāpapa Community Driving School and Open Road Programme, employment and immigration support via the Migrants Supporting Migrants (MSM) Programme, basic-needs assistance through the C.A.R.E.S. Programme, and ethnic-led research and advocacy via MAT-ECARU.

Product overview

Migrant Action Trust operates as a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of community support programs for migrants and former refugees in New Zealand. The core offerings include two complementary programs: Puketāpapa Community Driving School (PCDS) and Open Road Programme, both providing driving instruction and licence preparation; and the Migrants Supporting Migrants (MSM) Programme delivering employment workshops, CV writing, interview preparation, immigration consultation, and language classes. The C.A.R.E.S. Programme provides basic needs assistance to elderly resettlers and solo mums. Additionally, MAT-ECARU (Ethnic Community Advocacy and Research Unit) functions as a research and advocacy sub-brand focused on ethnic-led research, community training, and policy advocacy for migrant rights.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Migrant Action C.A.R.E.S: Checking and Assisting Resettlers, Elderlies, and Single Mums - providing assistance with basic needs including email setup, online employment support, free English classes, driving lessons, and other assistance.

Products and services

• Puketāpapa Community Driving School (PCDS) A community-led driving school staffed by qualified instructors that helps migrants and former refugees obtain their New Zealand driver's licence through lessons, test preparation, and road readiness support.
• Open Road Programme A dedicated driving school program operated alongside Puketāpapa Community Driving School, staffed by experienced and qualified instructors, aimed at assisting migrant and former refugee communities in becoming safe and responsible drivers.
• Migrants Supporting Migrants (MSM) Programme A program providing employment support services including monthly Employment and Immigration Workshops, personalized CV and Cover Letter Writing sessions, Job Interview Preparation, Immigration Consultation, and English Language and IELTS/PTE classes for individuals with temporary visas.
• C.A.R.E.S. Programme (Checking and Assisting Resettlers, Elderlies, and Solo Mums) A community support program that assists elderly resettlers and solo mums with basic needs including email setup, Facebook/Google MyBusiness page setup, online employment support, free English classes, application assistance, online transactions, and driving lessons.
• MAT-ECARU (Ethnic Community Advocacy and Research Unit) An ethnic-led community research and advocacy unit focused on expanding horizons through research and fostering knowledge exchange among ethnic communities, with priorities in Research, Training and Education, and Partnership and Alliances.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Migrants Alliance (IMA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Since 2022, MAT has been an associate member of IMA - the first-ever global alliance of, for, and led by grassroots migrants, refugees, and displaced peoples. IMA brings together over 200 member organizations from more than 33 countries worldwide.
• Living Wage Movement AotearoacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAT is a member of the Living Wage Movement Aotearoa, championing economic justice for low-wage workers and advocating for adequate income for all workers to live with dignity.
• Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing regional advocacy and capacity-building for migrants in the Asia-Pacific region, connecting local struggles with global movements.
• Union Network of Migrants (UNEMIG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrassroots union representing and advocating for the rights of migrant workers in New Zealand.
• Belong AotearoaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSettlement services organization supporting migrants and refugees in New Zealand.
• UMMA TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIslamic community organization providing support services.
• NFACTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity alliance advocating for migrant and refugee rights.
• Refugee AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of organizations advocating for refugee rights and resettlement.
• Mano AmigaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization supporting migrants through various programs.
• Ethnic Rainbow AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance promoting diversity and inclusion within ethnic communities.
• Indian Workers AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization representing and advocating for Indian workers in New Zealand.
• Migrante AotearoaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational migrant organization with New Zealand chapter.
• GABRIELA AotearoaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeminist organization advocating for women's rights including migrant women.
• Anakbayan AotearoaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth organization advocating for the rights of overseas Filipino workers and migrants.
• Banyuhay AotearoaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization advocating for the rights of Filipino migrants and their families.
• Immigration New Zealand Refugee and Migrant SupportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2022, Immigration New Zealand contracted MAT to undertake an evaluation of service providers delivering services to former refugees arriving via the Refugee Quota Programme.
• Human Rights CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on research regarding migrant worker exploitation and advocacy for economic justice.

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM): Hong Kong-based regional advocacy organization for migrants in the Asia-Pacific region. Listed as a core partner of MAT and shares focus on migrant worker rights, exploitation research, and advocacy.
• Belong Aotearoa: A New Zealand settlement services organization supporting migrants and refugees. Listed as a direct partner of MAT and offers comparable resettlement, immigration, and integration services in the same NZ market.
• International Migrants Alliance (IMA): The first-ever global alliance of grassroots migrants, refugees, and displaced peoples with 200+ member organizations across 33+ countries. MAT is an associate member since 2022; provides comparable migrant-led advocacy and alliance-building.
• Refugee Council of New Zealand: National umbrella body for refugee resettlement and advocacy in New Zealand. Operates in the same policy advocacy space as MAT's MAT-ECARU research unit and supports overlapping beneficiary populations.
• Migrante Aotearoa: International migrant organization with a New Zealand chapter, listed as a partner of MAT. Focuses on migrant worker rights and welfare — closely aligned with MAT's employment support and exploitation research work.
• English Language Partners NZ: Provides English language tuition and settlement support to migrants and refugees across New Zealand. Directly comparable to MAT's English language class offerings and migrant integration programming.
• Refugees as Survivors New Zealand: A specialized refugee support organization in New Zealand offering mental health, social, and integration services to former refugees. Directly comparable target population and service mission as MAT.

Broad incumbents

• New Zealand Red Cross: A large, established humanitarian organization delivering refugee resettlement programs in New Zealand through the Quota Programme. Operates at much greater scale but with overlapping migrant/refugee support services.
• Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand: The New Zealand Catholic aid agency working with refugees, migrants, and vulnerable communities. Provides overlapping settlement support and advocacy services with significantly broader funding base.

Regional players

• Auckland Council Migrant Services: Local government body providing migrant settlement information and services across Auckland. Complements but does not duplicate MAT's community-led, ethnic-led service delivery model in the same primary geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/migrantactiontrust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/migrant-action-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Migrant Action Trust