Should we change how asylum works?

OPINION: Asylum claims – where people claim refugee status when already in New Zealand – have almost tripled this year already on 2022 figures. Even Immigration NZ staff say the system is broken and being exploited. What should Parliament do to fix it? An MP from each side of the House gives their views. ARENA WILLIAMS, LABOUR MP, MANUREWA

Manaakitanga is one of our strongest Kiwi values: when we welcome people into our communities and uplift their mana, we are at our best.

New Zealand has always been a place that welcomes those in need and it’s a core part of who we are as a nation. We must keep that ethic of compassion for people in mind when we consider how to make our system for considering asylum seekers fair.

There are gains to be made in making the asylum process faster and more efficient. Labour worked to build a more balanced immigration system but it can take a long time to process and consider complex asylum claims.

That puts extra pressure on those who are seeking to come here and to those who are working within the immigration system. A fair system relies on adequate resourcing to figure out who needs our protection.

New Zealand also needs to work closely with other countries to share information. Now more than ever, our international relationships are important not only for the protection of people and their families who are being persecuted, but also to uphold the rights of all people in countries at war.

Strong measures to prevent abuse of the system are an important, because we all need to have believe that the rules are being applied fairly. At the same time, we need to be providing support services for asylum seekers who may not otherwise be able to make a claim.

It’s Labour’s policy to provide asylum seekers with adequate support services while their claims are processed and implement the refugee and migrant employment action plan. Things like legal aid, mental health support, and interpreters can mean the difference between succeeding with a claim and not being able to pursue it at all.

The rise in asylum claims is a complex issue, but it’s not one we can’t handle. We must keep our humanitarian values close to our hearts while also maintaining a system that’s efficient and robust. Our parliament has a responsibility to find the right balance and ensure that New Zealand continues to be the ahuru mowai, the safe place, for those in need.

STUART SMITH, NATIONAL MP, KAIKŌURA

Asylum seeker is a term that has popped up many times throughout the past couple of years while the world experiences unrest, such as the war in Ukraine and, more recently, the war in Gaza.

To apply for asylum a person must have left their country with fear of returning, enter New Zealand and ask to be recognised as a refugee or to have protection status.

Recently, New Zealand has experienced a significant surge in asylum claims, rising from 358 in 2022, to 980 so far in 2023.

What is the reason for the large increase? While it is easy to point fingers and blame these individuals for overwhelming the system, it is crucial to address the underlying issue that has contributed to this influx – poorly thought-out policy within our immigration system.

New Zealand has always been known for its welcoming and compassionate stance towards refugees and asylum seekers, but this generosity needs to be balanced with a robust and efficient system to ensure that those who genuinely need protection can access it.

The rising number of asylum claims over the last year is not just a mere coincidence but a clear reflection of poor policymaking and lack of oversight by successive Immigration Ministers, with officials asked to take a light touch to visitor applications.

The current situation can be attributed to a combination of factors, one of which is the insufficient checks carried out before individuals enter the country. It is not only the responsibility of the asylum seekers to ensure their eligibility for asylum, but also the Government’s to do due diligence to ensure that potential immigrants have been vetted thoroughly.

By failing to screen individuals thoroughly and have a soft approach in place, we could end up facilitating the entrance of individuals who may not genuinely qualify for asylum. This approach not only undermines the integrity of our immigration system but also places an undue burden on our resources and means taxpayer money is being spent on people who ultimately do not qualify.

The next Immigration Minister whoever that is, must ensure that there is an immediate change to this process, which includes reinforcing border controls, conducting thorough background checks, and increasing the efficiency of the asylum application process.

By doing so, New Zealand can ensure that our generous asylum system is preserved for those who truly need it while preventing misuse and safeguarding our national interests.

New Zealand must prioritise strengthening our immigration system, ensuring that it maintains its tradition of compassion while upholding the integrity of the asylum process and ultimately fairness to those who foot the bill – the taxpayer.