International Migration Outlook - New Zealand 2007/08
2. Flows of Refugees and Asylum Seekers
2.1. Policy
New Zealand is not currently working on specific policy concerning access to the labour market for asylum-seekers. At a more general level, the Review of Refugee Resettlement Policy is developing proposals to progress better refugee resettlement outcomes through improved leadership and coordination of policy and practice, enhanced service development and delivery, and better information collection and monitoring. The work includes identification of resettlement goals and outcomes for both refugees who come through the UNHCR resettlement quota programme, as well as people who have their refugee status determined and recognised in New Zealand. The goals and outcomes that are being considered as part of the review include access and entry to the labour market, and being in meaningful employment.
One of the short-term projects that has already come out of the review is a study to assess whether people who have their refugee status determined and recognised in New Zealand should receive an orientation programme, as appropriate to individual circumstances. The orientation could potentially include activities to assist the person to enter the labour market, if they have not already done so, or to find employment that might better utilise their skills and qualifications.
2.2. Asylum Seekers
The number of people seeking asylum in New Zealand has declined from several thousand a year in the late 1990s to 267 in 2007/08. The leading source countries for asylum seekers in 2007/08 were Iraq (46), Sri Lanka (36) and Iran (22). The top ten source countries of asylum seekers in New Zealand are listed in Table 10 below.
| 2006/07 | 2007/08 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Number | Percentage | Country | Number | Percentage |
| Total | 244 | 100% | Total | 267 | 100% |
| China | 38 | 16% | Iraq | 46 | 17% |
| Iran | 32 | 13% | Sri Lanka | 36 | 13% |
| Iraq | 28 | 11% | Iran | 22 | 8% |
| Sri Lanka | 20 | 8% | China | 16 | 6% |
| Bangladesh | 17 | 7% | Malaysia | 11 | 4% |
| India | 12 | 5% | Bangladesh | 9 | 3% |
| Czech Republic | 9 | 4% | Zimbabwe | 9 | 3% |
| Fiji | 7 | 3% | Pakistan | 9 | 3% |
| Hungary | 7 | 3% | Fiji | 8 | 3% |
| Pakistan | 7 | 3% | Myanmar | 8 | 3% |
| Others | 67 | 28% | Others | 93 | 35% |
Source: Department of Labour
New Zealand decided 275 refugee status claims in 2007/08, compared to 271 in 2006/07 and 340 in 2005/06.[16] Twenty-four percent of decisions in 2007/08 were made on subsequent claims for asylum (i.e. following an earlier claim that had been found not to be genuine). Refugee status was granted in 81 cases (29 percent) and declined 194 cases (71 percent).
Table 11 shows successful Refugee Status Claims by nationality in the twelve months ending June 2008.
| Country | Approved 2007/2008 | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 81 | 100% |
| China | 11 | 14% |
| Colombia | 1 | 1% |
| Congo | 1 | 1% |
| Iran | 4 | 5% |
| Iraq | 35 | 43% |
| Myanmar | 4 | 5% |
| Pakistan | 4 | 5% |
| Saudi Arabia | 1 | 1% |
| Somalia | 1 | 1% |
| Sri Lanka | 11 | 14% |
| Syria | 1 | 1% |
| Turkey | 1 | 1% |
| Zimbabwe | 6 | 7% |
Source: Department of Labour
Refugee status claimants may be placed into detention if concerns exist regarding identity, or any risk to national security or public order. These concerns must be balanced against the person's right to freedom of movement, and any issues of wellbeing related to their individual circumstances (for example minor status). Those who are not detained (including those who make post-border claims) are usually granted a permit to allow them to remain in New Zealand while their claim is assessed. In many cases, especially for family groups, a work permit will be issued to allow the claimant(s) to either work or access welfare provisions. In 2007/08, 260 work permits were issued to asylum seekers.[17]
If asylum-seekers are granted refugee status, then they are also usually provided with a work permit (if they don't already have one) and can then go on to lodge a residence application, which would give them the same access to the labour market as other permanent residents.
Permanent residence is approved separately from refugee status. In 2007/08, 213 successful refugee status claimants were approved for residence compared with 191 in 2006/07 and 162 in 2005/06. The low number of successful refugee status claimants being approved for permanent residence is likely to continue as few people seek asylum in New Zealand.
2.2.1. Failed asylum seekers
If a claim has been assessed and declined, failed refugee status claimants are unable to apply for a further permit while in New Zealand and are required to leave New Zealand as soon as possible. However, there are no legislative limitations on the number of times an individual can claim refugee status in New Zealand, although subsequent claims need to be based on new information or changed circumstances. Additionally, appeal avenues exist for failed refugee status claimants through the Refugee Status Appeals Authority and the Courts. An individual who makes a subsequent claim for refugee status can apply for further permits to allow them to stay in New Zealand lawfully while their claim is assessed.
2.3. Refugee Quota
Each year New Zealand accepts up to 750 refugees referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as part of the annual Refugee Quota. In 2007/08, 750 refugees were accepted as part of the Refugee Quota. The leading nationalities of these refugees were Myanmar (251) and Iraq (90) followed by Eritrea (76) and Bhutan (75). Table 12 shows the nationalities of all the refugees accepted as part of the 2007/08 Refugee Quota and the countries where they had taken refuge prior to being accepted into the Refugee Quota.
| Nationality | Number of people |
|---|---|
| Total | 750 |
| Afghanistan | 66 |
| Algeria | 5 |
| Armenia | 6 |
| Bhutan | 75 |
| Colombia | 29 |
| Congo, Dem. Rep of | 21 |
| Djibouti | 3 |
| Ecuador | 0 |
| Egypt | 0 |
| Eritrea | 76 |
| Ethiopia | 12 |
| Indian | 3 |
| Indonesian | 4 |
| Iran | 11 |
| Iraq | 90 |
| Italy | 0 |
| Jordan | 0 |
| Kenya | 0 |
| Malawi | 0 |
| Malaysia | 0 |
| Mauritania | 10 |
| Myanmar | 251 |
| Nepal | 5 |
| Pakistan | 1 |
| Palestinian | 5 |
| Rwanda | 25 |
| Senegal | 0 |
| Somalia | 18 |
| Sri Lanka | 4 |
| Sudan | 30 |
| Syrian | 0 |
| Thailand | 0 |
| Uganda | 0 |
| Yemen | 0 |
Source: Refugee Quota Branch data, Department of Labour
The majority of refugees (385 or 51 percent) selected for the 2007/08 Refugee Quota were standard protection cases. Of those, 331 were under 18 years old, and 419 were 18 or over 18 years old.
On arrival in New Zealand, quota refugees are granted permanent residence which gives them access to all rights to employment, education and other services which are available for other New Zealand citizens and residents.
Footnotes
[16] In some instances, the decision regarding a claim may occur in a different year to when the claim was initially made. Therefore the number of refugee decisions in any one year may differ from of the number of claims.
[17] This includes people appealing their refugee status decision.