First Syrian refugees welcomed
Timaru’s first two refugee families from Syria were welcomed on their arrival at Richard Pearse Airport yesterday. More families will be arriving over the next few months.
Two Syrian refugee families have been welcomed to Timaru.
A crowd gathered at the Richard Pearse Airport yesterday to greet the first two families to be settled in the area as part of an increase in the annual quota of refugees from 1000 to 1500, announced by the Government in 2018.
The families were supposed to be settled in the area in April following six weeks in the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre, where they had been learning English and undertaking classes on living and working in New Zealand, but had to stay at the centre for three months due to Covid-19 restrictions.
One or two Syrian families are expected to arrive in Timaru every five to six weeks, with direct support from Presbyterian Support South Canterbury (PSSC) for about 12 months.
Timaru District mayor Nigel Bowen told the crowd gathered at the official welcome it was a privilege to welcome the refugees ‘‘to our home and what will soon be your home’’. His words were translated to the new residents by PSSC cross cultural worker Mohammed Aziq.
‘‘My wife travelled to Syria about 20 years ago, and she talks of a wonderful country and people. We share your grief in what you have had to go through,’’ Bowen said.
On the back of a major global crisis, Covid-19, he was pleased Timaru could ‘‘smile again and do something really positive’’ in welcoming the refugees.
Representatives from PSSC, Aoraki Development, Timaru Muslim Educational Trust, The Office of Ethnic Communities and Waimataitai School pupils were among the welcome party.
The pupils painted signs, welcoming their soon-to-be peers in Arabic, English and Ma¯ ori, and flax flowers were presented.
Te Aitarakihi Trust members sang for the families, leading them into the building; Timaru Muslim Education Trust Chairman Muhammed Khalid talked of Timaru’s supportive community; and all groups joined together to sing He Ho¯ nore.
A team of volunteers will work alongside PSSC, the leading agency in settling refugees in Timaru, to move the families into their homes, enrol them in schools and with GPS, navigate the town and find work.
Ashburton, Whanganui, Blenheim, Masterton and Levin were also named as settlement locations when the Government announced the annual quota increase.