Dunedin could become home to Syrian refugees arriving in New Zealand, but Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull says an adequate resettlement programme needs to first be established.
Currently, New Zealand’s most southerly resettlement programme for refugees is in Nelson.
Cull says before refugees arrive, systems need to be set up to support the struggling families.
“The needs of these people are quite complex and quite a bit different from just an immigrant coming in,” said Cull. “These people come from a culture that’s quite different from ours, [they] have been through extremely tough circumstances, [they] will be traumatised.”
Cull said central government would need to fund the required facilities: “the council doesn’t raise money for this service at the moment, because we have never needed to”.
According to Cull, it was only four years ago that government officials from the Department of Labour held discussions about establishing an immigration/refugee centre in Dunedin. This proposal was dropped.
Cull says now “there is an even greater need” for such a centre. He argues that with other centers around New Zealand quickly becoming full, “it makes sense to look at Dunedin. We are a regional city with great social infrastructure and a community eager to welcome and support these refugees in need.”
Dunedin Welcomes Refugees held a candlelit vigil on Friday 11 September to galvanise public sentiment, and aims to see a resettlement programme established in Dunedin to help those in need.
In a press release about the event, the group said: “Dunedin is a vibrant city, renowned for its culture, heritage, and altruism.”
“Dunedin’s generosity of spirit would shine through, and we would welcome any refugees to our city,” said the group. “Dunedin has the capacity to take refugees, but needs a plan.”
Dunedin North MP David Clark says the public response to the refugees “has been heartening … it’s confirmed what I have always thought of New Zealanders, that we are a generous people and that we do want to help where we can”.
The New Zealand government recently announced plans to allow an extra 600 refugees, on top of the 150 in the existing quota, from Syria over the next three years.
The new quota is in response to the civil war, which has been occurring in Syria since 2011. So far, approximately four million Syrians have fled the country to survive.