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New Zealand government yields to public outcry over refugee stance

Xinhua, September 7, 2015 Adjust font size:

The New Zealand government bowed to growing public pressure on Monday announcing it will take 750 refugees from the conflict in Syria over the next two and a half years.

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse said 600 of the 750 places would be by way of a special emergency intake above New Zealand's annual refugee quota of 750, and 150 places would be offered within the quota.

"Like most New Zealanders, the government is very concerned at the humanitarian crisis now unfolding in Syria and Europe that has visibly worsened in recent times," Woodhouse said in a statement.

"That's why we will dedicate 150 places for Syrians within the existing 2015-2016 annual quota of 750. On top of that we'll take in another 100 Syrians in this financial year, and a further 500 over the next two financial years."

The cost of the additional places was estimated at 48.8 million NZ dollars (30.59 million U.S. dollars) over two and a half years on top of the 58 million NZ dollars (36.38 million U.S. dollars) the government already spent annually on resettling refugees.

A regular three-year review of the refugee quota would continue as planned next year, when the government would review the possibility of further assistance, he said.

"Today's decision is an appropriate response. Official advice is an immediate intake of any more than the extra 100 announced today for this year could put unreasonable strains on services, affecting the quality of resettlement outcomes for all refugees in New Zealand," said Woodhouse.

"There are practical limitations around our ability to provide enough housing, translators, health services all factors we need to take into consideration."

Also Monday, Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced a further 4.5 million NZ dollars (2.82 million NZ dollars) to help refugees displaced by fighting in Syria, bringing New Zealand's total humanitarian contribution to the refugee crisis to 20 million NZ dollars (12.54 million U.S. dollars).

"The additional funding announced today will help refugees in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan and will be delivered through partnerships with host governments, UN agencies, and New Zealand non-government organizations," he said in a statement.

"New Zealand is using its position on the United Nations Security Council to call for action and we continue to urge all members to work together to find a way of ending the violence," McCully said.

Spurred by pictures of desperate refugees in Europe, critics including the government's own Race Relations Commissioner and minor parties supporting the government last week lambasted the government for its refusal to raise its refugee intake from its quota of 750, which has remained unchanged for 30 years. Endi