Whanganui iwi call time on refugee resettlement hui and asks for further consultation

Whanganui iwi leader Ken Mair says housing problems for the existing population should be addressed before refugee resettlement in the region begins.

A refugee resettlement meeting in Whanganui was cut short by Whanganui Tupoho iwi representative Ken Mair on Monday night.

The hui, organised by Immigration New Zealand (INZ), was intended as an information and planning event to assist international refugees to settle in Whanganui.

After speeches from refugees and information delivered by Sarah Ward of INZ Mair accepted an invitation for audience feedback and said iwi do not support the resettlement of refugees in Whanganui without further discussion.

"With the greatest respect, I wish to say that we do not support refugees coming into our tribal domain until we sort out our own back yard," he said.

"Our people are in dire straits and I know this may be difficult and unpalatable for some but we are disappointed that we have not had adequate discussion with the Government about this."

Four refugees from Manawatu had addressed the Monday night gathering and Ward had been outlining Immigration NZ's policies and procedures for refugee settlement before Mair spoke.

Iwi members stood and sang a waiata at the conclusion of his speech.

Ward announced to the gathering that it was time for a dinner break before the second part of the hui which was to consist of workshops.

Mair later said that he had a "respectful discussion" with the hui organisers and it was agreed that the second part of the event would not proceed.

"Whanganui iwi did not receive invitations to the hui and it seemed like a further example of the process going on without us," Mair said.

The Whanganui District is expecting to get up to 110 refugees annually from March 2020.

Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway made the announcement in February and said he was delivering the news well in advance so the city would have time to prepare.

Mair said a group of iwi representatives including himself and Dame Tariana Turia met with Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall after the announcement to voice their concerns and requested a meeting with the minister.

"He responded with an offer to meet in Wellington and we replied that we would like him to meet with us in Whanganui because this concerns our home."

The meeting has not eventuated and Mair said the hui at the Whanganui War Memorial Centre was the first meeting on refugee settlement he has heard about since the February announcement.

"This is not about iwi discriminating against refugees, we just don't feel we can welcome new people while our own are struggling.

"We are being asked to welcome 110 people a year but I can think of 120 local families living in overcrowded, unsuitable and unaffordable housing that need to be rehomed right now.

"Recent rent increases in Whanganui are appalling and people cannot afford $400 a week."

Immigration New Zealand's national manager of the refugee division Andrew Lockhart said INZ acknowledged that engagement with iwi is important.

"Iwi provide a valuable contribution to support refugee resettlement around the country.

"In addition, INZ understands the Minister of Immigration is also happy to meet with the iwi."