Hon Michael Woodhouse
Minister of Immigration
4 February 2014
Government to resettle Syrian refugees
Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse has announced the government will resettle up to 100 refugees in need of urgent
protection from the situation in Syria.
“The humanitarian situation in Syria is deteriorating by the day and the UNHCR has called on the international community
for assistance,” Mr Woodhouse says.
“New Zealand has already provided $12.5 million to help those displaced by the conflict in Syria. This resettlement
offer adds to this assistance and reflects the Government’s commitment to fulfilling its international humanitarian
responsibilities.
“New Zealand’s annual refugee quota includes places reserved for emergency resettlement from large-scale crisis
situations, if required, for exactly the type of situation we are seeing in Syria.”
Mr Woodhouse says that as the emergency places are included as part of the overall refugee quota, they have already been
budgeted for and do not represent extra cost to the government.
Selected refugees will be interviewed and undergo full screening and security assessment before being accepted. They
will enter a six-week reception programme at Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre before being resettled in the
community.
Mr Woodhouse says the first Syrian refugees are expected to arrive in New Zealand during the second half of 2014.
ENDS