New research suggests migrants and refugees are feeling isolated and unwelcome in Canterbury.

The All Right campaign held six, two hour long discussion groups with migrants and refugees from Somalia, Sudan, Korea and Bhutan.

Manager Sue Turner said many of the participants had battled to get to New Zealand, and once they arrived were battling to feel accepted.

"People in the research talked about even having their neighbours ignore them and ignore their children, not make any eye contact with them at all."

Ms Turner doubts that it's a 'Canterbury-only problem', but said the community will miss out if it doesn't encourage migrants and refugees to feel accepted.

She wants Cantabrians to make an effort to "just make contact".  

"It's not the be all and end all but it's a start, that first connection."

Ms Turner said the simple act of a smile can go along way to making someone far from home feel accepted.