Sponsorship obligations
As an approved sponsor, your organisation must show they have the skills and knowledge to support vulnerable people.
Settlement
Approved community organisations will be responsible for the provision of community orientation from arrival and settlement assistance and services to sponsored refugees for up to two years after arrival in New Zealand.
Funds
It is important your group or organisation has evidence of sufficient funds to plan for the sponsored refugee families’ initial settlement needs. Although families in this programme are permanent New Zealand residents and can apply for Work and Income support, approved sponsors need to think about how they can help with additional settlement costs.
Accommodation
Approved community organisations will be responsible for finding suitable private accommodation for the sponsored refugee family before they arrive in New Zealand. Approved community organisations will need to cover the initial costs of accommodation, but are not required to pay rent for the duration of the sponsorship time. Sponsors will need to provide core furniture and other household goods on the sponsored refugee’s arrival in New Zealand.
Networks
Your group also needs evidence of experience working with refugees or other vulnerable people. Approved community organisations need to have the networks and connections across the community to support refugees to live fulfilling and meaningful lives in New Zealand. As an approved sponsor, you need to connect refugees to te ao Māori and the history of the whenua. This is an important part of cultivating shared cultural understanding.