6 JULY 2018

Community organisations to support sponsored refugees who arrive in New Zealand this week

New Zealand will extend a warm Kiwi welcome to 21 sponsored refugees, made up of five families, who arrive this week under a new settlement approach, says Immigration New Zealand Manager, Steve McGill.

“New Zealand should be immensely proud of the way in which we have welcomed refugees who have been forced to flee their homes by conflict or civil war,” says Steve McGill.

“This intake will experience a new and continued supportive settlement programme, driven by four community-based organisations that will help the refugees to settle into their new communities.

“This new approach will help bring communities together, so they can be directly involved in supporting refugees to settle into New Zealand life.

“Sponsored refugees will spend two weeks at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre before settling in communities with the support of the approved sponsors.

“The pilot of the Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship Category is just one of the ways that we committed to supporting some of the world’s most vulnerable people to rebuild their lives and thrive in New Zealand. This is in addition to and complements the Governments existing refugee quota,” says Steve McGill.

The settlement support for the sponsored refugees includes: locating private housing and provision of household furniture and small goods, orientation to and helping them navigate their community and the services they need to support their settlement, English language classes and support towards paid employment and self-sufficiency.

Further information:

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand (Wellington), Gleniti Baptist Church (Timaru), South West Baptist Church (Christchurch) and the Society of St Vincent de Paul (Nelson) were chosen by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) in June this year to become approved sponsors for the pilot of the Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship Category.

In total, the four organisations will help 24 refugees to settle into their communities, with a family of three who arrived in New Zealand a few weeks prior to the remaining 21.

For further information contact the media line on 0274 422 141 or email media@mbie.govt.nz

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