How We Work

The Refugee Services National Office in Wellington coordinates most of the agency's work around the country, athough some national work is also carried out by our Mangere office. In total we employ a paid staff of over 50 people in nine offices. Many of our staff members come from former refugee backgrounds. Refugee Resettlement is also assisted annually by several hundred trained community volunteers.

History

In 1976 the Inter-church Commission on Immigration and Refugee Resettlement (ICCI) was formed to represent New Zealand churches in all aspects of immigration and the settlement of refugees.

The founding members included representatives from the National Council of Churches, the Catholic Bishops Conference, HIAS (Hebrew Immigration Aid Society) and the United Synagogues of New Zealand. The work of the Commission largely focussed on refugee matters, but it also actively assisted a wide range of migrants and people applying for political asylum.

In 1986 the governance of ICCI was assumed by the Christian Conference of Churches of Aotearoa New Zealand (CCANZ). CCANZ continued its governance role until 1990 when the agency became an officially incorporated society and its name was changed to the Refugee and Migrant Commission-Aotearoa New Zealand Inc. Its membership was also expanded to include representatives from other faiths, refugee communities and refugee-related agencies. Sometime later, the name of the agency was changed to RMS Refugee Resettlement.

In 2004 a restructuring of the Commission was begun which culminated in the establishment of a new governance structure and the formation of a Board, which meets bi-monthly. 

In June 2008, following a major rebranding exercise, the agency became Refugee Services Aotearoa New Zealand . . . the exciting new identity it enjoys today.