Strengthening trauma-informed refugee status determination in New Zealand

Many people seeking asylum have experienced persecution, conflict, torture, trafficking, family separation, or other traumatic events that can profoundly affect how they recall, process and communicate their experiences.

With refugee status determination (RSD) decision-makers play a critical role in assessing asylum claims and determining eligibility for international protection, a trauma-informed approach helps those decision-makers better understand the effects of trauma and vulnerability. This enables people seeking protection to participate more meaningfully in the refugee status determination process.

With this in mind, UNHCR's Multi-Country Office (MCO) for Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific recently brought together RSD decision-makers from New Zealand's Refugee Status Branch for two specialized two-day trainings in Auckland.

The programme was delivered by internationally recognized experts Guy Coffey and Professor Zac Steel, from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and focused on strengthening decision-makers' understanding of psychological vulnerability, trauma and mental health in the asylum process.

UNHCR Representative for Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific, Soo-Jin Rhee, encouraged participants to explore practical approaches to interviewing vulnerable applicants, assessing credibility in light of trauma-related impacts.

“Psychological distress, trauma, mental health conditions and other vulnerabilities can significantly affect a person’s ability to engage meaningfully in the asylum process,” Ms. Rhee said.

“Recognising and responding appropriately to these challenges is essential to ensuring the process remains fair, respectful and accessible for those seeking protection.”

The training draws on UNHCR's Guidance Note on the Psychologically Vulnerable Applicant in the Protection Visa Assessment Process, developed with significant contributions from Guy Coffey and Professor Zac Steel. The guidance highlights the importance of recognizing psychological vulnerability, adapting interview techniques to individual circumstances, and carefully evaluating medical and psychological evidence. By translating these principles into practical skills and real-life case studies, the training supports the quality, consistency and integrity of refugee status determination procedures.

Through such initiatives, UNHCR is helping strengthen refugee protection systems across the region by enhancing the capacity of refugee decision-makers to identify and respond to vulnerability. Better-equipped officials are able to conduct more effective interviews and make informed, trauma-sensitive decisions, contributing fairer, high-quality and more consistent asylum procedures, as well as improved access to international protection.