Dunedin (Thursday, 18 October 2018) – Afghan people will be the next group of former refugees welcomed to Dunedin in 2019.

Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull says it’s expected the first families will arrive in Dunedin from March 2019, after six weeks at the Mangere Resettlement Centre.

“Immigration New Zealand makes decisions around settlement places for former refugees within New Zealand, and consulted with the Dunedin Refugee Steering Group recently, before finalising the recommendation,” says Mr Cull.

The Steering Group was established last year to consider long term strategies to support positive resettlement. It represents government and non-government organisations supporting resettlement, and includes community representatives with refugee backgrounds.

“We’re delighted Dunedin is once again a place of new beginnings for people who have suffered incredible hardships in war torn parts of the world. This community has been a welcoming place for Syrian and Palestinian families, and I’m sure we will support our new residents just as well,” says Mr Cull.

Around 180 individuals will continue to be settled in Dunedin each year. People from Syria, Palestine and Afghanistan will make up the composition of families calling Dunedin their new home.

The DCC and Red Cross will be organising a hui within the next few weeks to discuss how the community can support its newest group of settlers.

ENDS

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