Writer granted refugee status in New Zealand

WELLINGTON - Kurdish-Iranian exile and writer Behrouz Boochani, who was held in an Australian-run offshore island detention camp for about six years, has been granted refugee status in New Zealand, authorities said on Friday.

Boochani arrived in New Zealand about eight months ago to speak at a literary festival, and has stayed in Christchurch despite his visitor visa expiring.

Boochani has been recognised as a refugee under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugee and its 1967 Protocol, Fiona Whiteridge from Immigration New Zealand (INZ) told Reuters.

“For legal and privacy reasons, INZ is unable to provide any further comment,” Ms Whiteridge added.

Boochani did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. The University of Canterbury said in a statement that Boochani will become a senior adjunct research fellow at the institute.

Boochani was held on Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Manus Island after being plucked from a refugee boat on its way to Australia in 2013.