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World Refugee Day 2004: New Zealand

World Refugee Day 2004: New Zealand

20 June 2004
UNHCR

Kids play in a neighbourhood populated mostly by Iraqi refugees. Because refugees are not allowed to work in Syria, children often must take informal jobs to help support their families.
© UNHCR/M.Bernard

UNHCR provided support to New Zealand's World Refugee Day celebrations, which included a multicultural concert in Auckland and a function in the Grand Hall at Parliament Buildings in Wellington.

A large number of refugees attended and watched dances and music performed by the Afghan, Eritrean, Burundian, Somali and Ethiopian communities. Performers ranged from children to adults. The Minister of Ethnic Affairs attended the concert, which was followed by a meal prepared by refugees. The concert was organised by the Refugee and Migrant Service, New Zealand's resettlement NGO, the New Zealand Immigration Service, the Ministry of Education and King's College.

Around 150 representatives of refugee communities and groups working with refugees participated in an evening function at Parliament jointly hosted by the Minister of Immigration and the Refugee and Migrant Service.