Dr Abann Yor escaped a civil war in his native South Sudan, was detained in Syria before reaching safety and a new life in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Now CEO of Aotearoa Resettled Community Coalition (ARCC), Abann was recognised in last year’s King’s Birthday Honours list.

He says education gained through both MIT and Unitec playing a major role in building a future for himself and his whānau.


Dr Yor became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours list

Though Dr Yor believes to move forward in life, first, former refugees must make peace with their past.

“My father was killed in South Sudan – local South Sudanese tribal militias attacked our village. So in my journey, I had to recover from what I’d been through. After that emotional journey, I discovered what New Zealand was offering as a peaceful country. I think that’s where the magic starts.”

His life began with a generally peaceful childhood in South Sudan.

“From the age of five, I was babysitting my younger brothers. After graduating from my mother’s ‘School of Babysitting’ I went to my father’s ‘School of Cattle-keeping and Farming’. Cut the story short to 1983 where the civil war was starting in South Sudan. This is where I’ve been able to move to Northern Sudan where I lived with my uncles. My father thought it would be safer for me there.”

The?Second Sudanese Civil War?from 1983 to 2005 was a conflict between the central Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M).?One of the world’s longest ever civil wars, it ultimately led to independence for South Sudan in 2011.

Five years after the start of the conflict – at the age of 15 – Abann was living in Khartoum with his brother William when he heard the news that his father had been killed.


From left Abann and his brothers William and Obaj

In the years that followed, Abann worked, studied, started a family and in the early 2000s, to seek stability and safety, left for Damascus, Syria.

“I appealed for asylum in Syria, but I was put in jail for three months and ten days for not having a visa. It was tough, tough, tough. It wasn’t easy.”

“We appealed to the local United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). When someone seeks refugee status, the UNHCR looks at durable solutions which include repatriation, local integration or resettlement.”

“The first two were out, so they looked at resettlement in New Zealand for me. I met their criteria as an emergency case so in 2005, I left for New Zealand with my wife and two young children.”

Soon after arriving in Auckland in 2005, Abann started an English course at MIT and then completed Levels 2, 3 & 4 automotive engineering certificates, choosing that vocation as it was something he could do with his hands.

Dr Yor says MIT allowed him to learn English and gain vocational training at the same time.

“Without MIT, I would not have been able to pursue what I have because the tutors at MIT are the right people for the right job. They look at you as an individual and then advise what you need to do based on your aspirations.”

For the next few years his life was very busy. Abann was working, he had family commitments and also started getting more actively involved in Auckland’s South Sudanese community. This led to a voluntary role at the ARCC.


Dr Yor (second on right) is CEO of the ARCC based at the Mt Albert Village Community Rooms on New North Rd

ARCC is a non-government organisation working with humanitarian migrant communities to bridge the gap between diverse ethnic groups, NGOs and government service providers. The organisation’s objective is to improve understanding, smooth resettlement, and assist integration outcomes.

Through his involvement with the coalition, Dr Yor was offered a Unitec scholarship to study a graduate programme in not-for-profit management and leadership.

Between 2009 and 2011, Abann continued his studies at Unitec and community work until 2013 when he was elected as chairperson of ARCC, then in 2014 as the CEO. The knowledge and understandings from the Unitec programme were demonstrated when he put in place a new governance structure for the organisation soon after becoming the CEO. This included a Board that oversees strategic decision-making, and a management leadership team involved in seeking funding and the day-to-day operations.

Over the years the ARCC has helped hundreds, if not thousands, to resettle and integrate into New Zealand society. In addition to facilitating communication with government agencies, the coalition has led a number of initiatives to help diverse communities including a social hub for seniors, a youth leadership forum, a women’s leadership network and an annual soccer tournament. It has grown into an umbrella organisation with twenty-seven coalition member organisations from various ethnic backgrounds.

In 2024, Dr Yor was recognised officially by the country that has been his home for 20 years becoming a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to ethnic and migrant communities.


Dr Yor with his family in Aotearoa from left Daoj, Mejock, Nyawell (white shirt) Banen, Ajako and wife, Mary

Reflecting on his time in New Zealand, Abann believes education has played an important part in his settlement journey.

“Without those teachers at places like MIT and Unitec, I wouldn’t be where I am today. At ARCC, we have interns from tertiary institutions like Unitec and MIT. When we are helping new immigrants in their new life here, we always recommend places like Unitec and MIT. When it comes to getting a job, English and vocational training are important, but so are the networks that you can create while you study. I realised it’s not just what you know, but who you know.”

“That was a part of my father’s dream. He did not tolerate the process of conflict in South Sudan because the first civil war of South Sudan which is why he recommended I leave. It has been a long and often hard journey, but I believe my father would be pleased with the life I’ve built for my family and how I’m now helping other people with their journey. I think he would be very proud of me.”

MIT receives Government funding for former refugees who qualify through the UNHCR programme to study?New Zealand Language qualifications?for free. After graduating, approximately 40% then move onto vocational study at MIT. That includes programmes in a range of vocations including automotive, building, electrical, health, education and business.

Sandi Eickhoff, MIT Head of Language, Literacy and Numeracy, says she loves hearing the success stories of graduates and how they have gone on to support others in the community.

“It is a privilege to be part of an organisation that provides support to former refugees and allows them to build lives in New Zealand,” she says.