News and Events
World Refugee Day - 20 June 2010
World Refugee Day is an opportunity to reflect and acknowledge the courage, resilience and strength of refugees. Global attention is focused not only on the plight of refugees and causes of their exile but also on their determination and contribution they make to their host communities.
Why a World Refugee Day? (UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
Just as we make a special effort to remember our mothers on Mother's Day, we want the world's refugees to be remembered on their special day. For years, many countries and regions have been holding their own Refugee Days and even Weeks. One of the most widespread is Africa Refugee Day, which is celebrated on 20 June in several countries.
As an expression of solidarity with Africa, which hosts the most refugees, and which traditionally has shown them great generosity, a special UN General Assembly Resolution was unanimously adopted in 2000 which designated 20 June every year as World Refugee Day.
New Zealand welcomes 750 quota refugees each year over six intakes. On June 18, 2010, approx ninety former refugees mainly Tamil, Bhutanese and Colombian will leave the Mangere Refugee Reception Centre to begin to rebuild their lives in their new communities.
Wellington 20 June 2010
On Sunday, 20 June, our refugee and local communities from
Approximately 24% of the 750 refugees that arrive in
Here are some photos from prior years Soccer Games
(Refugee All Stars in white)
Refugee Services has produced a number of periodic electronic newsletters and our first magazine was published in March 2009.
Regional publications and other publications
"A Place to Call Home" March 2009
Archive Issues
September 2008
April 2008
October 2007
June2007
March 2007
December 2006
November 2006
September 2006
August 2006
June 2006