The Kiribati couple, who arrived in New Zealand in July 2007, need to find jobs before their visas run out at the end of January, to enable them and their two-year-old daughter Kainana to stay in New Zealand.
Mr Matana was working in the horticulture industry in Auckland before moving to Invercargill to work on a dairy farm.
However, Mr Matana said problems with his employer in Southland, which included alleged verbal abuse and inadequate living conditions for the couple's young child, meant he was unable to continue working there.
"Leaving the farm was a difficult decision and it meant loss of income and security.
"During this period, my mental and spiritual health went downhill," he said.
Mr Matana said he and his family had relocated to Dunedin in May in the hope of finding work but had so far been unsuccessful despite having applied for more than 100 jobs.
"It's not very good for your mental health. It's not very good for your stress levels when you cannot support your family. It's really hard."
Mr Matana said while life in New Zealand had so far been tough for the family, it was better than returning to Kiribati.
"The prospects in Kiribati are not very good, as it is hard to find a job.
"Kiribati is struggling as it is, to counteract the problems caused by the rising sea levels."
At present, the Kiribati government was looking to relocate residents to surrounding nations because of rising sea levels, Mr Matana said.
Mr Matana is looking for work in the dairy or horticulture industry, while Mrs Matana would ideally like cleaning or caregiving work.
However, both said they would be willing to do any type of work and relocate if necessary.
"I'm a hard worker, open to learning and working in a team.
"If anyone can offer us a jobs we would really appreciate it.
"I just want to support my family."
Otago Southland Employers Association chief executive officer John Scandrett said New Zealand had a seven per cent unemployment rate at present, and Otago and Southland was experiencing under four per cent unemployment.
"[It] represents a situation we would rather not have. There are some opportunities in areas and little in others."
Dunedin City Council Economic Development unit manager Peter Harris said the job market was tough for everyone at the moment and advised people who were looking for work to use their contacts.
"I think there's a lot of people having difficulty finding work at the moment, not just migrants. Use as many personal contacts as you can. Research shows that only one third of jobs are advertised. There are a lot of jobs that are filled through word of mouth.
"The other thing is just accept any work that is available - it's about getting a job and then getting a better job."
• If you can help the Matana family, please call them on 471-0757 or 021 074-5728.
