Refugees settling in New Zealand
We have video tutorials and information to help refugees to settle into the community, and access the support and services they need.
Refugees gain a basic grounding in their new life during the 6 weeks they spend at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre.
There is more to learn as they integrate into the community.
Settlement videos
Quota refugees
This video covers:
- laws in New Zealand
- getting to New Zealand
- jobs and money
- housing
- health services
- learning English and education
- daily living
- immigration and citizenship
This video is for: UNHCR-mandated refugees selected by INZ (English)
This video is for: UNHCR-mandated refugees selected by INZ (Arabic)
This video is for: UNHCR-mandated refugees selected by INZ (Dari)
This video is for: UNHCR-mandated refugees selected by INZ (Spanish)
Convention refugees
This video covers:
- laws in New Zealand
- support services
- jobs and money
- health services
- learning English and education
- daily living
- immigration and citizenship
This video is for: Approved asylum seekers
Refugee family support category
This video covers:
- laws in New Zealand
- support services
- jobs and money
- health services
- learning English and education
- daily living
- immigration and citizenship
This video is for: Eligible family members of refugees resident in New Zealand
Regional information
Quota refugees settle in a number of regions in New Zealand. This includes our largest cities and also smaller centres, in both the North Island and the South Island. We ensure that in each, government agencies and NGOs are available to help them settle into their new communities with good support and the ability to access services.
Auckland is New Zealand’s biggest city. It has people from more than 180 cultures living in it. Almost 40 per cent of Aucklanders were born outside of New Zealand. Refugees from Africa, the Middle East and Asia have found homes in Auckland since the 1980s.
Hamilton is the centre of a farming and food-growing region. Top industries include dairy farming and scientific research. Hamilton has been home to refugees from Somalia since the early 1990s. There are now more than 1200 Somali people there. Refugees have also come from countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Afghanistan, Iraq, Colombia and Burma.
Palmerston North is a university city, with strong links to agriculture. The Manawatū region has been home to refugees from Africa and Asia since 2006. Refugees have come from Republic of Congo, Burma and Bhutan. About 700 former refugees live in Palmerston North and the nearby town of Feilding, which is around 20 kilometres away.
Wellington is New Zealand's capital city. It has a population of nearly 200,000. People from many cultures live in Wellington. Many groups of refugees have come to Wellington from countries including Iraq, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Iran, Sri Lanka, Rwanda, Sudan, Afghanistan, Colombia and Burma.
Most Nelson people are of European descent. About 9 per cent are Māori. Nelson has been home to refugees from Asia since the 1970s. There are about 700 former refugees in Nelson. They have come from countries including Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma and Nepal. Nelson is one of New Zealand’s sunniest areas.
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island and the third largest city in New Zealand. Many groups of refugees have previously come to Christchurch, including from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Kurdistan, Ethiopia, Somalia and Bhutan.
Dunedin is the main city within the Otago region which is on the southeast coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is known for its Scottish and Māori heritage, Victorian and Edwardian architecture and a large student population.
Invercargill is the southernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. Invercargill is considered the capital of Southland.
Settlement information
New Zealand offers a chance for refugees to build a life in a new land. Refugees must adjust to their new country and the communities in which they will live. While there is extensive help from NGOs and government agencies to help them settle, they must also learn to make the most of living in New Zealand.
INZ has a useful website that describes life in New Zealand called Live and Work New Zealand.
Live and Work New Zealand is a guide to living and working in New Zealand. It includes sections on how to find work and how to present yourself in a job interview. The site has information on studying in New Zealand. This includes what sort of courses you can take and a description of what different universities and polytechnics offer. There is also a lot of information on everyday living in New Zealand.