Michelle Oledan Ferns

Michelle Oledan Ferns is CAPRS Aotearoa New Zealand based Programme Manager. Michelle has worked on refugee and asylum protection issues for several years in various roles and projects in Australia, New Zealand and Thailand.

Previously based in Melbourne, Michelle worked with the Refugee Council of Australia as the Project Manager for the International Policy and Community Engagement Team. This role focussed on engagement in the Asia Pacific and global refugee policy. Michelle also developed and coordinated the annual Refugee Alternatives Conference, a national dialogue that amplifies refugee self-representation and leadership. While also based in Melbourne, Michelle was the Australian Coordinator for the Global Campaign to End Child Detention, a cross-sector collaboration of 26 member organisations representing all states and territories of Australia. Michelle continues to work closely with the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) and the Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Working Group on both national and regional priorities.

Michelle is a third culture kid; born in the Philippines and raised with her two brothers by her Filipino mother and Liverpudlian father in Aotearoa New Zealand. Michelle recently returned to Aotearoa and is currently based in Tāhuna/ Queenstown.