When the Government announced it would boost the number of Syrian refugees it brings to New Zealand, it said the move could put the system under pressure.
In making the announcement Prime Minister John Key said he had received advice suggesting the boost in numbers, "is stretching the system".
Until recently, most refugees have come from Myanmar, Bhutan, Iraq and Afghanistan. Photo: RNZ / Mohamed Hassan
"For instance Mangere (Refugee Resettlement Centre) needs further work if it's going to handle more than the 150 at one time," Mr Key said.
Yesterday, with my colleague Mohamed Hassan and his camera, I went to the Refugee Resettlement Centre, which we found unexpectedly well-prepared for the new arrivals.
In May 2013, the Government announced a $5.5 million rebuild of the centre and work on the 190 bed facility is now well underway.
It is hoped the first refugees will be using the new premises, a vast improvement on the elderly army barracks they currently occupy, by the middle of next year.
Arrivals stay at the centre for six weeks.
It is considered unique in the world in that it centralises services all in one place giving refugees - who are often exhausted and traumatised - access to health care, trauma counselling, education, cultural introduction and employment guidance.
Sarah Ward outside the soon-to-be-refurbished facility. Photo: RNZ / Mohamed Hassan
Sarah Ward, a refugee resettlement co-ordinator at Mangere says they are determined to cope - and the rebuild will help.
"We're all very excited about it, because we're going to have purpose-built facilities and families will start to stay as units, rather than the dorm accommodation people are in now."
So, the Government's own rebuild - which was announced well before the civil war in Syria caused so many desperate people to risk everything to get Europe - will make things easier.
The resettlement centre at Mangere has already received a small number of Syrian refugees in the past twelve months. But over the last decade two-thirds of its arrivals have come from just four countries: Myanmar, Bhutan, Iraq and Afghanistan.
At best, the refugees arrive with little more than relief, gratitude and a remarkable sense of hope.
Mangere offers hope to refugee children from some of the world's most troubled places. Photo: RNZ / Mohamed Hassan
The children we saw as we toured the centre may never have known a stable home. They may have faced almost unimaginable hardships.
Their journey here, from harm and persecution, through refugee camps and the interminable wait that millions are now enduring, can take years.
And children as old as teenagers arrive without ever having experienced a day at school.
But this is a new start. And their sense of that is palpable.
Many of the children at Mangere may never have known a stable home. Photo: RNZ / Mohamed Hassan
While more resources are needed, Sarah Ward says staff at the centre are absolutely committed to accommodating the extra Syrian arrivals.
"We'll make it work," she says. "We all love this work. Yeah, we do. We will make it work because there's a lot of value in what we do. Look at the people around you. It makes it all worth it."
Refugees are offered access to health care, trauma counselling, education, cultural introduction and employment guidance. Photo: RNZ / Mohamed Hassan
Refugee Resettlement Co-ordinator Sarah Ward with John Campbell. Photo: RNZ / Mohamed Hassan
