New Zealand Refugee Resettlement Strategy

Approach of the Refugee Strategy

The New Zealand Refugee Resettlement Strategy is a whole-of-government approach to delivering improved refugee resettlement outcomes. Since 2023 the coverage of the Refugee Resettlement Strategy expanded to include:

• the Refugee Quota Programme
• Community Organisation Resettlement Sponsorship (CORs) Programme
• the Refugee Family Support Category
• Convention Refugees
• Afghan interpreters and Afghan evacuees

The Refugee Resettlement Strategy PDF 263KB

Strategy vision and outcomes

The vision of this strategy is that former refugees and their families settle successfully, achieve their goals, and thrive in Aotearoa New Zealand. This includes feeling safe and well, having a sense of belonging and being able to participate in and contribute to all aspects of life (social, economic, cultural, and civic).

The vision is underpinned by 5 settlement outcomes:

1. Participation and Inclusion: Former refugees and their families are welcomed and have a strong sense of belonging and acceptance in their communities and in Aotearoa New Zealand. They feel confident and safe to participate in different aspects of their lives.
2. Health and Wellbeing: Former refugees and their families achieve their health and wellbeing goals and thrive in their lives.
3. Housing: Former refugees and their families live in homes and in communities that meet their long-term needs and goals.
4. Education, Training and English Language: Former refugees and their families achieve their education, training and English language goals
5. Employment and Self-Sufficiency: Former refugees and their families achieve their employment and self-sufficiency goals, building on their skills and experiences.

Measuring success

Progress is currently measured annually against seven success indicators and one target (Education) approved by the Government. Baseline data has been established as a basis for assessing subsequent progress.

The Refugee Resettlement Strategy was refreshed in 2023. The decisions made as part of the Refresh have resulted in a further programme of work to fully develop and embed the new strategy. This work will include developing new ways to measure success and ensure we have the data we need to measure progress against the new outcomes.

Refugee Strategy Implementation Dashboard 2022 PDF 542KB

Refugee Strategy Implementation Dashboard 2020 PDF 565KB

Refugee Strategy Implementation Dashboard 2019/20 PDF 1MB

Refugee Strategy Implementation Dashboard for 2018 PDF 692KB

Refresh Project

In 2022-2023, we refreshed the NZ Refugee Resettlement Strategy (NZRRS) to ensure it continues to effectively support successful settlement in the future, reflecting successful settlement outcomes sought by government and communities, as well as providing the agility to respond to changes in the settlement environment. Initial changes to the Strategy’s coverage, vision statement and outcome areas were decided by Cabinet in July 2023.

The NZ Migrant Settlement Integration Strategy and NZ Refugee Resettlement Strategy Refresh Project

The changes proposed as part of the Refresh Project will result in further work to fully develop and embed the new strategy. This work will include developing new ways to measure success and ensuring we have the data we need to measure progress against the new outcomes.