New refugees need better support

Refugees coming to New Zealand need better support than what they’re currently getting, the Green Party said today.

Refugees coming to New Zealand need better support than what they’re currently getting, the Green Party said today.

Radio New Zealand today reported that Refugees as Survivors, the agency that assesses refugees upon arrival, has not received any extra funding despite extra Syrian refugees arriving here later on this week. This comes after the Government refused to permanently increase the refugee quota and instead made a one-off increase. The Government did not increase the funding to support those arriving.

“The National Government has repeatedly refused to permanently increase refugee quota numbers. It also claims to be providing world-class resettlement, yet agencies are not getting the funding they need to help new refugees,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw.

“It is hard enough moving to a new country where everything is different, but it is even harder after experiencing years of devastating civil war.

“A lot of the new refugees will arrive with war trauma and they need the mental health services to support them. We can’t just dump them here with no support.

“The Government needs to prioritise funding services for vulnerable refugees who are coming from devastating circumstances. The right thing to do would be to prioritise mental health services for refugees.

“On top of funding the support agencies to the level required, it would also be great if John Key greeted our newest New Zealanders personally when they get here, just like the Canadian Prime Minister did. It will really show what a welcoming place New Zealand is,” said Mr Shaw.

Latest Immigration Announcements

Story

Govt changes fall short of what’s needed for migrant protection

The Green Party will keep up the fight to support exploited migrant workers, including pushing to end single employer visas, after the government p...
Read More

Story

Government must ban dawn raids and grant amnesty

The Green Party is calling on the Government to follow up words with actions, and ban the practice of dawn raids and provide an amnesty to all over...
Read More

Story

Concerns as people most likely to be exploited are left out of pathways to residency

The Green Party is urging the Government to fix the immigration system to ensure that low-waged, and often essential workers, are guaranteed a path...
Read More

Story

Greens secure greater protections for exploited migrant workers

The Green Party is pleased that the Government has adopted an amendment that would guarantee migrants are not adversely affected when holding explo...
Read More

Story

The time is now for overstayer amnesty

With the alarming number of Dawn Raids occurring, the Green Party is calling on the Minister to immediately grant an amnesty to all overstayers.
Read More

Story

Labour must come to table on RSE residency

The Green Party welcomes National’s support of residency pathways to RSE workers, and is urging Labour to join this emerging cross-party consensus.
Read More