Media Monitor
High Commissioner praises refugee resettlement and integration in Australia and New Zealand
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, has praised the contributions of Australia and New Zealand to refugee protection after visits to both countries. He thanked both governments for their leadership and contributions to UNHCR's global policy forums, their annual resettlement programmes and their generous financial contributions to the work of his Office...
During his visit to New Zealand, the High Commissioner watched as group of refugees performed a traditional powhiri or greeting ceremony. "This is one of the most genuine and moving reception ceremonies I have seen for refugees anywhere in the world," he said at the event.
Myanmar Refugee Works with Kapiti Artist
Kapiti artist Bodhi Vincent and refugee background sculptor from Myanmar Tin Aung teamed up after support agency Refugee Services contacted Vincent about possible work opportunities for Aung, who moved to New Zealand with his wife and nine year-old daughter last year. Click here to read more.
Funding cuts hurt refugees
December 2009
While Work and Income pleads with language schools to teach refugees English, the Ministry of Social Development has cut funding for the classes
Chance to look forward
December 2009
Jean-Paul Bizoza came to New Zealand as a refugee four years ago, but his new life has only just started.
Scams target migrant families
December 2009
Community leaders and social workers are on alert after two separate scams targeting migrants in Porirua.
Refugee literacy funding to stay
The Tertiary Education Commission has agreed to continue funding Victory Primary School's basic literacy programme for refugees.
Nurse's life among nomads
1 December 2009
Africa's Afar people are fast becoming extinct - but an Australian nurse says she is doing all she can to stop that from happening.
New Zealand support of refugees shows room for improvement
19 November 2009
Progress report on New Zealand’s support of refugees shows room for improvement. New Zealand’s annual refugee quota of 750 people represents a tiny fraction of the 750,000 people worldwide currently requiring resettlement.
Richard Towle - UNHCR Canberra
Richard Towle is the Australasian-Pacific regional representative for the UNHCR (the UN's refugee agency). He was in New Zealand for a conference on refugee health and welfare at AUT in Auckland.
Funding cut hurts refugees
7 November 2009
The Government is not honouring its commitment to Nelson's refugee population by cutting funding for a basic literacy programme aimed at integrating them into the community, those working with refugees say.