Horowhenua town ‘not ready to take refugees’

Levin has been chosen as a refugee resettlement location but its mayor doesn’t think the town is ready for an influx of overseas arrivals.

Michael Feyen said accepting refugees was part of New Zealand’s ‘‘moral obligation’’ but Levin was unsuitable, as so many locals were struggling to find housing and jobs themselves.

‘‘It’s a heck of a big ask. We can’t even house our own.’’

Refugees are set to start arriving in Levin in May 2020, in anticipation of the country’s refugee quota rising to 1500 in July that year.

Feyen said he was not consulted before the announcement in early February and he was ‘‘told, not asked’’ about Levin becoming a resettlement town.

He wants refugees to live meaningful lives in New Zealand, with proper employment and accommodation, but doubts that is possible in Levin without major government assistance.

‘‘I don’t want them to come here to a life of nothingness.’’

Immigration New Zealand spokesman Andrew Lockhart said the announcement was made a year in advance so that communities had time to fully prepare for the change. Three to five families would arrive every six to eight weeks.

‘‘Detailed preparation is needed before any new refugee settlement location is established to ensure there is the right level of capacity to enable communities to support refugee settlement.’’

The Ministry of Social Development will assess the housing needs of refugees. Housing New Zealand will be responsible for matching state properties with those who qualify.