Four Years of Impact: The Power of Community in Refugee Sponsorship
- birgitgrafarend
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
After four incredible years, the extended pilot of the Community Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme is coming to an end. While we continue to advocate government for the permanent continuation of the programme, we know that the heart of this programme lies in the communities where sponsored refugees settle, especially in the hands of local community sponsor groups (Approved Sponsors) who walk alongside them.
One such sponsor group was involved from the very beginning, taking part in the 2018 pilot and returning again during the extended programme. Their story is a powerful example of what can be achieved when volunteers come together with compassion, resources, and a commitment to welcome.
Why Become a Sponsor?
When asked what motivated them to join the CORS programme, group members shared moving reflections:
“We wanted to be involved in a hope-filled, meaningful response to the sorrows and injustice in our world.”
This programme gave the group the opportunity to be generous with their time and resources, and to take action on issues of social justice, particularly the inequities experienced by those trapped in the refugee system.
“It was a social justice response—a way to offer practical support to people trapped in the refugee system.”
Group members talked about wanting to build friendships and supportive networks across cultures, and to show the New Zealand Government how effective local communities can be in leading refugee resettlement. Their goal was to provide wraparound support that removes barriers to access and helps create a healing journey after the trauma of forced displacement. For many of them, previous positive experiences with refugees had already shown the immense contribution they can make to communities and to Aotearoa as a whole.
Others spoke about the opportunity to build genuine cross-cultural friendships, show the power of community action, and eliminate barriers that often prevent refugees from accessing the support they need.
“Experiences from other church friends after their experience with the first round of re-settlement inspired my keenness to help a worldwide challenge and connected with my affinity for people of other cultures.”
The Early Days of Settlement
Supporting the newly arrived refugee whānau in their first days and months was exciting, energising, and joyful as they got to know the refugee whānau. It was also a faith-building experience, providing what was needed through prayer and community connections.
“It was exciting and energising getting to know the family.”
“It was a privilege to be entrusted with their care and wellbeing during such a vulnerable time.”
Although building trust with the family while navigating the often ambiguous settlement process was a challenging juggle, group members felt that it was a rewarding experience to see things fall into place and prayers answered despite the busy and hectic pace. Despite the busy early months, strong teamwork meant the group could share the workload and support the family with warmth, structure, and care.
Moments That Mattered
When reflecting on proud or memorable moments, the group highlighted events filled with meaning. One of the real highlights of the journey was accompanying a sponsored refugee to a women’s retreat, where they felt proud seeing her connect with other women and shine as a woman of mana and strength. Group members also treasured the simple moments, like going shopping together or sharing cups of tea while chatting about their families. Watching the family settle quickly into their new home and feel instantly relaxed was deeply rewarding, as was celebrating a birthday party together, which showed how deepening relationships were starting to develop. Another proud moment was seeing a sponsored refugee stand tall and give a speech during the mihi whakatau at church, reflecting her resilience in coming to Aotearoa New Zealand.
The group also supported one of the families in finding long-term accommodation, helping them weigh the trade-offs between location and convenience.
“Helping the family choose their first home, only a month after hearing they were arriving, brought so much joy.”
Taking the new refugees to the mountains and witnessing their joy in an environment that felt like home was unforgettable. These moments illustrate how deep connection, cultural exchange, and mutual respect can flourish when communities come together.
A Whole Community Response
While the sponsor group led the resettlement effort, the broader community stepped up in inspiring ways - over 100 people were involved at some stage.
“With 30 sponsors spread through 3 groups, and each sponsor having a connection into 3 or 4 other groups/networks, we probably had over 100 people actively engaged at some stage in the settlement process. Many of these people have not been actively engaged in supporting refugees in the past. All of them welcomed the opportunity and were deeply troubled by the global growth of refugees.”
A sponsored refugee found employment at a local café and joined a men’s workout group, and another became involved with the Cook’s Collective through the Sharekai Project. Donations from the community allowed the family to purchase beautiful Afghani rugs, helping them feel connected to their culture and at home. Community members have also supported individuals by encouraging participation in local craft groups and Bike Bridge, a women’s bike-riding program. A local Afghani family became friends by helping the newcomers navigate shopping and daily needs. The whānau was smoothly enrolled with a GP and dentist with community support, reducing barriers and protecting against discrimination. Additional assistance included taking individuals to religious celebrations, supervising learner drivers, helping navigate online marketplaces for secondhand goods, and connecting refugees with the Muslim Wellbeing Team at Purapura Whetu to build relationships and opportunities. With 30 sponsors across three groups, each linked to multiple networks, over 100 people have been actively involved in the settlement process, many for the first time. Neighbourhood Facebook posts seeking household items received enthusiastic responses, showing how people were inspired to contribute in whatever way they could.
Hopes for the Future
The Community Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme is seen as a sustainable, worthwhile, and highly successful model that many hope will continue. With so many people in the community willing and able to contribute, it presents an impactful pathway for refugee resettlement.
“When you bring a large group together, with a dedicated core, you can achieve so much in the resettlement space. I would recommend others to give it a go - there is such a good framework in place and good practices to follow.”
With good teamwork, it offers a powerful way to support families in need of refuge, and the wider community has been remarkably welcoming and engaged. CORS has brought Kiwis together, uniting them around a shared concern, fostering collaboration, and creating friendships likely to last for decades. It empowers people to respond to global injustices and transform people’s lives. It’s a model that truly works.
“With good teamwork and community support, you can achieve so much. We urge others to give it a go. This programme brought people together across our town, and it created friendships that will likely last for decades. It’s a way for people of conscience to act - transforming despair into hope, one family at a time.”
Let’s Keep the Programme Going
The Community Refugee Sponsorship programme has proven that when local communities are empowered to lead refugee resettlement, the results are transformative - for refugees and for all involved.
This is what community looks like. This is what welcome feels like. Let’s keep the door open. Let’s make CORS a permanent part of Aotearoa’s refugee support system.
🕊️ Support the call to continue the CORS programme. 🙌 Read more, share widely, and get involved. 📣 Your voice matters—help us make community sponsorship a lasting legacy.
Take a look at this page for key advocacy messages and ways you can get involved:
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