Ensuring refugees successfully settle into their new homes is of interest to all concerned. Research from the University of Auckland suggests that the first few months are critical to this occurring.

The study delved into three overarching inquiries regarding refugee integration: the access rates of refugees to education and state housing, the proportions of individuals reliant on welfare versus employed individuals over time, and the contributing factors to income variations over time.

The findings emphasize the significance of the initial five-year period in determining successful economic outcomes for refugees, highlighting notable disparities in income and employment status across four distinct sub-groups: quota refugees, convention refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals who immigrate through the family reunification scheme to join their relatives.

Settling in

Quota refugees, for whom 1,500 are accepted by New Zealand per year, already possess refugee status due to a well-founded fear of persecution before their arrival. Upon reaching New Zealand, they undergo a comprehensive five-week settlement program in Auckland, following which they are granted automatic New Zealand residency status.

Additionally, they receive an array of support services encompassing healthcare, education, employment assistance, and accommodation provisions, all of which extend for a duration of up to two years. Despite these measures, quota refugees exhibit relatively less favorable outcomes compared to other refugee sub-groups.

The research sheds light on the complex dynamics of refugee integration and underscores the pivotal role played by the initial years in shaping economic prospects. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for formulating effective policies and interventions aimed at enhancing the overall well-being and successful integration of refugees into New Zealand society.

“It’s clear that all groups follow a similar trend of making positive strides, from different initial starting points, and this is most pronounced in the first five years; extending support to all refugee groups could result in quicker and better employment outcomes, even if that would involve higher short-term funding costs, it would be better economically in the long run,” the researchers explain.