Government to consider more refugees

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse says a decision will be made on the next three-year programme early next year. Photo / ODT

Minister says figures to be looked at after Amnesty agency calls for doubled quota.

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse says the Government may lift the refugee quota next year after calls for New Zealand to do more for people fleeing their homes around the world.

The New Zealand Red Cross said there were more than 50 million people estimated to be homeless because of conflict and Amnesty International had called for the refugee intake to be doubled.

New Zealand had taken refugees for resettlement since the end of World War II and established a formal annual quota of 750 places, which had not been increased since 1987.

A private member's bill lodged by Green Party MP Denise Roche sought to increase the refugee quota to 1000.

"The Government agreed to the current three-year refugee quota programme in June 2013 and a decision will be made on the next three-year programme early next year after considering all relevant factors," Mr Woodhouse said.

"We will look at all aspects of the quota, including the numbers."

New Zealand is one of about 26 countries which resettles refugees referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Last year, Burma was the largest source country for quota refugees, followed by Colombia and Sri Lanka.

"Some of our critics forget an additional 300 people are approved residence each year under the refugee family support category and a number of of asylum seekers' claims are also approved each year."

The New Zealand Refugee Resettlement Strategy, which identified key outcomes for successful settlement, was launched in 2012. "The settlement outcomes for the group resettled from July 2013, who are covered by the strategy, will be completed this year," said Immigration NZ spokeswoman Rachel Purdom.

Over the last five years, 1003 were also granted residency as convention refugees or protected persons. Iran was the main source country for this category, followed by Iraq and China.

New Zealand also committed to resettle up to 1000 refugees from Syria as a response to the emergency crisis there.

Dr Arif Saeid, president of the NZ Refugee Council, said tens of thousands were being forced to leave their homes every day because of war.

"We ... have a tradition of responding when there is humanitarian need around the world," he said. "However, we stand much behind many other nations when it comes to refugee resettlement ... globally ranked 87th in regards to resettlement per capita."

In last year's Budget, it was announced an additional $5.6 million would be spent over four years to improve resettlement planning and support.

Refugees in NZ

35,000 accepted since World War II

750 annual quota since 1987

300 family members approved annually

$5.6m budget for resettlement improvements
Source: Immigration New Zealand