Many people on social media have been commenting about New Zealand’s approach to the conflict in the Ukraine and what they deem to be an appropriate response to taking Ukrainians into their country.
The New Zealand’s government has said it will introduce a new policy that will enable about 4,000 family members of Ukrainian-New Zealanders to move to the country in the short term following Russia’s offensive.
New Zealand with a population of 4.8 million has close to the same population as Ireland. The Irish government are eager to take in 100,000+ Ukrainian refugees on a permanent basis with many in the Irish community asking where accommodation will be found and where will the supports needed be found?.
Ukrainian-born New Zealand citizens and residents will be able to sponsor a Ukrainian family member and their immediate family, Immigration Minster Kris Faafoi said in a statement reports TRTWorld.com
Those accepted will be granted a two-year work visa and their children will be able to attend school.
“The 2022 Special Ukraine Policy will be open for a year and allow the estimated 1,600 Ukrainian-born citizens and residents in New Zealand to sponsor parents, grand-parents and adult siblings or adult children and their immediate family,” Faafoi said. “This is the largest special visa category we have established in decades.”
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