Today the Government announced it will increase the size of the Refugee Quota from 750 to 1000 places per year from 2018 and trial a sponsorship scheme.
Nelson is one of only six places in New Zealand that currently settle refugees and is expected to receive an increase in the number of refugees that settle in the region.
The other resettlement areas are Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington and Dunedin but today’s announcement revealed that another location will be added in 2017 to assist with the extra intake.
Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse says the increase demonstrates a commitment to meet the needs of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
“Last year we committed to resettling 500 Syrians over two years on top of our annual quota of 750. This means for the next two years we are taking 1000 refugees.
“The new quota of 1,000 will cost an extra $25 million a year. This is on top of the $75 million a year we currently spend on quota refugees.”
The increase is the first in 29 years but still fell short in the eyes of many including Amnesty International who called the increase “absolutely shameful in the face of the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis”.
Executive director Grant Bayldon says it is not enough, “This is a shameful and inhumane response and a stain on our country’s reputation as a good global citizen.”
The Government has also agreed to pilot a new community sponsorship category in 2017/2018, details of the pilot are still being worked through and will be announced next year.
