Kiwis urged to get involved in refugee resettlement

Teaching English, opening their homes and even donating clothes – New Zealanders have been urged to get involved in the resettlement of refugees in the country.

Activist and academic Murdoch Stephens, the man behind the Doing Our Bit campaign, told a public meeting at Takapuna’s Lake House Arts Centre on Monday, that New Zealanders themselves could help refugees integrate into their new community.

The meeting was the second to last in a nation-wide tour by the campaigner.

The campaign aims to double New Zealand’s refugee intake from 750 people a year, and to increase funding for their support.

The much criticised quota is currently set to increase to 1000 people a year by 2018.

The meeting opened with 23-year-old Fatumata Bah, an AUT student and Zonta Club Young Women in Public Affairs Award recipient, and finalist for the 2016 Westpac Women of Influence award.

She was also a refugee, and came to New Zealand as a baby.

Mr Stephens himself lived in Aleppo in Syria from 2009 to 2010, and formed a connection with the country that fuels his campaign on refugee resettlement.

He said his aim was to rally people to appeal to their local MPs to make a
change, and encourage them to take a more active part in refugee resettlement.

“We’re trying to get people to consult their conscience.”

New Zealand is currently 95^th in the world, per capita, for taking in refugees.

Experts in refugee studies agree with the campaign’s initiative, but warn people to
be aware that increased numbers would need a bigger support system.

Dr Love Chile, associate professor of social sciences at Auckland University of Technology, said New Zealand should first make sure it could give any increased number of refugees what they need.

“We should think about the quality of outcomes to base our success on, not the
numbers, as that’s what makes New Zealand unique,” he said.

“The New Zealand refugee programme is a humanitarian programme. The quota system builds what is referred to as ‘sustainable communities’.

“We already have a housing crisis. Refugees coming here should be able to have a place to live, learn English, live within range of public services and also be able to keep their culture alive.”

He also believes that the quotas of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants need to be put together, so that we have a clear population policy.

“If we put the three together, we can have a clear system for migrant resettlement.”

He said New Zealanders should make sure all people come together as one, regardless of the class or background they represent in their home countries.

Mr Stephens said he hoped the Doing Our Bit events would make a difference, particularly in the run up to this year’s elections.

Eight parties have pledged to increae the quota if they are in Government, from the Greens promising the highest number (5000 in the next six years) to National sticking with the current proposal of 1000.

Mr Stephens wants to encourage all voters to “tell their chosen parties that they support
refugees”.

Another “more controversial” idea is private sponsorship as another way of making sure
refugees are set up with the right funding.

New Zealand is yet to allow that, but could soon follow countries who do have
private sponsorship, like Canada.

Tracey Barnett, columnist and founder of asylum awareness initiative WagePeaceNZ,  said a doubled refugee quota would not be a major strain to the population.

“If you think of New Zealand as Eden Park with all seats filled, then about 10 of
those seats would be refugees.

“Put it in perspective, New Zealand. Let’s start talking.”