John Key says refugees coming into New Zealand are "heavily vetted". Photo / Mark Mitchell
John Key says refugees coming into New Zealand are "heavily vetted". Photo / Mark Mitchell
Reports that suicide bombers who caused carnage in the Paris massacre sneaked into France by posing as refugees from Syria won't change New Zealand's refugee policy, the Prime Minister says.
One of the attackers reportedly arrived in Europe as an asylum seeker, entering the continent through a Greek Island.
Mr Key said he needed further advice on these reports, because it "could be part of a sinister plot" by ISIS to undermine confidence in the EU.
"They're masters of propaganda these people," he said, suggesting that the passport linked to one of the Paris terrorists may have been fraudulently copied.
If this report was confirmed, Mr Key said it would not affect New Zealand's refugee policy.
Refugees who came to New Zealand were "heavily vetted" by the United Nations and the New Zealand Government had the authority to reject people if they believed they were not a genuine refugee - even if they had been cleared by the UN.
"I'm confident that the people we're taking ... are genuine refugees," Mr Key said.
Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Chris Finlayson echoed Mr Key's comments on refugees, saying there was no need for any change in policy and that New Zealand had the right to refuse entry to any refugee if it held any security concerns.
French people gather in Aotea Square to light candles of rememberance for those who died in the terror attacks in Paris. Photo / Chris Loufte
He had not been told whether any approved refugees had been rejected by Government so far.
New Zealand has agreed to take an additional 600 refugees from Syria over the next two and a half years, while also taking a further 150 Syrian refugees as part of its annual quota.
He hoped there would be no backlash against refugees as a result of the attacks, saying New Zealand had a "tremendous" reputation of being generous and welcoming.
He pointed to past intakes of Polish refugees after World War II and Vietnamese refugees after the Vietnam War.
"At the same time we have to be careful that we don't make mistakes and bring in people who will then cause mayhem in the society we love and live in."
But he feared an international backlash against refugees, saying it was already evident in some media commentary.
"I must say I'm quite worried about that."
Mr Finlayson had spoken to the French Ambassador to New Zealand, Florence Jeanblanc-Risler.
Photo / Chris Loufte
"It goes without saying that we are all shocked and saddened but, I suppose, not surprised.
"If you look at what's been happening globally in recent times these sorts of things seem to be happening increasingly frequently."
He said a memorial service could be held in Wellington, possibly on Tuesday.
Key today confirmed no New Zealanders have been hurt or killed in terror attacks in Paris.
"The advice we've had from the French Foreign Ministry is that there are no New Zealanders that have been killed or injured as a result of the terror attacks," he told reporters at a press conference in Hanoi, Vietnam.
"So that's obviously very, very good news. But our hearts go out to those families who have been so badly affected."
Mr Key spoke to the New Zealand ambassador in Paris James Kember to express his "deep concern" and asked him to pass his message to the French Government.
Mr Finlayson said New Zealand's domestic terrorism threat level remained at "low" after the attacks, but it was under continuous review.
This meant there no changes to any security measures in New Zealand.
The number of people on a terror watch-list in New Zealand remained at between 30 and 40.
The Prime Minister said the world was watching France to see what actions it could take to find out who was responsible for the attacks.
"I know ISIS has claims responsibility but these people don't act alone. The networks that have supported them in their terror attacks will be the next step."
He said it would be very important in a large city like Paris to restore confidence as quickly as possible. That confidence would only come back when residents knew the terror cells had been broken and any suspects arrested.
He spoke to her last night. At the time of the terror events, she was in a shopping mall and was not close to any of the attacks.
"I think it's fair to say that they're all feeling pretty heavily shaken by what's taken place. It's a frightening experience."
She had originally planned to go to a movie theatre near where one of the attacks occurred.
"It's fortuitous," he said. "But in the end while I care deeply about her as her father, but in reality my thoughts are obviously with those who have been directly affected."
She had told him that aside from the Stade de France, all of the spots that were hit were popular with locals but not tourists.
"So it's quite a well-planned attack by these people."
Mr Key had told his daughter to be careful and sensible. But he was not concerned that her presence in Paris was a security risk for New Zealand and he would not be asking her to return.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has changed its travel advisory for Paris, telling travellers only to head there if they had urgent business.
"But ... it's a very big city ... and a gateway point into Europe and I would expect that New Zealanders relatively quickly will want to get back to business as normal."
There were around 300 New Zealanders registered with MFAT in Paris, though the number was likely to be much higher.
Climate talks still on
Auckland mayor Len Brown is still planning to travel to Paris in the next few weeks for an international climate forum, despite the terror attacks.
A spokeswoman for Mr Brown said today: "The mayor intends to go to Paris, but obviously will be taking advice from Foreign Affairs.''
Up to 190 countries will be represented at the Paris Climate Conference, dubbed COP21 (Conference of Parties), which will start late November and through to December 11.
US President Barack Obama will be in attendance, as will Prime Minister John Key.
No policy changes
Speaking about New Zealand's role in fighting ISIS, Mr Key said the Government had not considered any policy changes at this early stage.
The deployment of military trainers to Iraq would not be expanded or reduced.
If ISIS' involvement was verified, Mr Key expected a broader discussion between countries about the rise of attacks which were linked to the extremist organisation. These included previous attacks in Egypt and Tunisia.
"What is clear is that these international terrorist actions are rising and that's of great concern."
At least 120 people died in a series of terror attacks across Paris, involving gunfire and explosives, on Saturday (NZT).
The death toll is expected to rise and a number of people are seriously wounded.
An MFAT spokesman said there were no New Zealanders on the list of dead or injured people in Paris.
Initial reports stated there were no Kiwis among the deceased, but the number of injured were not confirmed.
"The New Zealand Embassy in Paris has received advice from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Crisis Centre) that there are no New Zealanders among the deceased or on the injured list," he said.
At least six locations were targeted during the attacks: The Bataclan Concert Hall, the Le Petit Cambodge restaurant, Le Carillon bar, 90 Rue Charonne, the Stade de France stadium, and reportedly at Les Halles shopping mall.
The attacks are some of the most deadly in decades and have come just months after 11 were killed at Charlie Hebdo magazine earlier this year.
Tourists were advised against travelling to Paris and the Ile de France area.
Flight Centre managing director Chris Greive said it was advising customers in Paris who had concerns in the wake of the terror attacks in Paris to phone their travel expert and look at alternative travel options.
He said the travel agent was in discussion with a few customers in Paris and fielding some inquiries from people planning to travel to Paris and Europe. He did not have specific numbers.
Customers can phone the Flight Centre 24/7 helpline on 0800 24 35 44.
