"We have to open our borders. We are not doing nearly enough."
Rafia Kabir, originally of Burma, attending the protest at Aotea Square. Photo / Doug Sherring
Campbell Larsen from Grey Lynn believed New Zealand's response to the crisis was "tokenism".
"Initially I thought the global community would not respond well to the idea of taking in refugees but I was wrong," he said. "However, New Zealand's attitude has since been inadequate.
"I appreciate that resettling people is challenging but our hardline approach to welcoming such a small number of refugees is disappointing."
Prime Minister John Key announced two weeks ago New Zealand would accept 750 Syrian refugees over the next three years, including 600 in an emergency intake above the usual annual quota of 750.
The rally in Aotea Square. Photo / Daniel Hines
The cost of resettling the refugees is estimated at $49 million in addition to the current $58 million annual cost of resettlement programmes.
Key was criticised for his initial response to the crisis after he said New Zealand would not consider extra help until a review of the refugee quota in the middle of next year.
He later relented after public calls for New Zealand to do more and conceded the public response was a factor in his decision.
The Green Party wants to raise the country's quota to 1000. A number of groups, including the Catholic and Anglican churches, have said they could take in 1200 refugees across the country.