And how many people can we keep taking in, especially when you consider New Zealand’s growing population and our current housing crisis?
To meet the criteria for refugee status, they have to have a genuine fear of persecution if they’re returned to their homes. “This fear can be based on race, religion or the politics of their country and each case is accessed by Immigration New Zealand.” For every application received, 30% get accepted, and the remaining 70% are turned away.
70% is an incredibly high percentage and it seems to put the question of a soft touch to rest. But what happens to the 30% that gets accepted? The ones that do make it, originate from two distinct groups, these are either asylum seekers or what are known as quota refugees.
Quota refugees come in through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) programme. If accepted, they’re put through a six-week orientation to help them acclimate to our country. They’re also given housing and New Zealand residency so they have access to financial assistance once they arrive. They’re also given volunteers for a year that can help them with things like furniture and to help them settle into the community.
Asylum seekers, on the other hand, are given substantially less support. Once they arrive in New Zealand, it can take up to three months to a year before a decision is made on their refugee status.
In the meantime, it’s up to them to apply for residency and, until then, they’re not able to take advantage of some of the benefits that a quota refugee would have access to.
Tim explained that the reason they got so little support compared to quota refugees was that the Government believed that since they were already in the country, they didn’t need any help.
“The problem is that while they’re sitting around and waiting for a decision to be made, they aren’t able to earn any money, or gain any assets or to learn about the country. They also need support to help integrate themselves into our society.”
When I asked what steps could be taken to help them, Tim felt that the Government could give asylum seekers access to the same level of support that quota refugees were given. “Give them the same rights that quota refugees get access to so that they’re all the same.” (KERRY LEE)