Question 1

When do applications close?

Accepted Answer

Immigration New Zealand does not take applications from potential sponsor groups at this time. All 201 sponsored refugee places in the extended pilot of the CORS programme have been allocated.

Question 2

When can our organisation submit its applications to become an Approved Sponsor for the Community Refugee Sponsorship programme?

Accepted Answer

Applications to become an Approved Sponsor for the CORS visa category are currently not being considered as all 150 refugee places in the extended CORS pilot have been allocated.

Question 3

Where else can we find information?

Accepted Answer

The Community Refugee Sponsorship website (https://www.refugeesponsorship.org.nz/)has been developed to provide your organisation with information to guide you through the application process for the Community Sponsorship programme. If your organisation's application is successful, further resources and information about the sponsorship process will be made available to Approved Sponsors.  
 
We regularly update the website with new information and resources, and continue to add responses to your questions so check this space regularly. 
  
The following page gives you an overview of the application process: Get Involved.(https://www.refugeesponsorship.org.nz/get-involved)

Application documents as well as supporting documents such as the Sponsorship Overview and Phase One toolkit can all be found on the  same page. 
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The Sponsorship Overview outlines each phase of the Community Refugee Sponsorship journey. The Phase One toolkit provides further information on the application process. 
  
You can also discuss your organisation's questions with the team (https://www.refugeesponsorship.org.nz/meet-the-team)at HOST International Aotearoa (https://www.refugeesponsorship.org.nz/contact)who can guide you through the process, answer any questions and provide additional information, resources and advice. Get in touch via phone (tel:+6443900991)o(tel:+6443900991)r e(https://www.refugeesponsorship.org.nz/contact)mail.(mailto:sponsor@hostinternational.org.nz)

Question 4

When will decisions on applications from potential sponsors be made?

Accepted Answer

Applications have been assessed on a quarterly basis starting in January 2022. A panel consisting of Immigration New Zealand, HOST International Aotearoa, former refugees, and mana whenua was formed to approve sponsors and match refugees with Approved Sponsors.

Currently, no further applications are assessed as all 150 refugee places in the extended pilot have been allocated to successful Approved Sponsor groups.

Question 5

How do we complete the Settlement Plan before we know who we are sponsoring?

Accepted Answer

The Settlement Plan that you submit as part of your Approved Sponsor application does not need to be specific to a particular refugee individual or whānau. The purpose of the plan is for your group to show that you have thought carefully about the types of settlement support that you will be required to provide throughout the settlement process, and that you have members who are able to provide the support.
 
Once you have been connected to the refugee individual/whānau that your organisation will be sponsoring, you will be able to talk to them about their specific settlement needs and desires and start to make the relevant arrangements.​

Question 6

I am an individual who wants to help sponsor a refugee – what are my options?

Accepted Answer

Individuals and families are not able to sponsor a refugee by themselves. Approved Sponsors need to be a registered entity (i.e. a company, charity, incorporated society, or trust). However, we encourage individuals who are interested in sponsoring a refugee to join together with a registered entity and submit an application together. 
​ 
When identifying organisations that you could approach and partner with, have a think about organisations that have experience working with refugees and vulnerable people, connections with the broader community, and relationships with mana whenua in your area. 
​ 
We encourage people to be creative when bringing groups and individuals together to support refugees - the key point is to create an experience that helps refugees when they resettle in NZ. 
 
HOST might know of other organisations in your area that are interested in sponsoring refugees – so get in touch to find out what networks already exist.

Question 7

How can we support the sponsorship programme if our community group doesn’t fit the requirements to become an Approved Sponsor?

Accepted Answer

If your community organisation is not a registered legal entity or is too small to fulfil all the requirements for becoming an Approved Sponsor, we encourage you to contact HOST to discuss other ways that you might be able to support refugees and the Community Refugee Sponsorship programme. 
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Community groups come in many different shapes and sizes, from a group of family or friends to a sports club or book club – all of these groups offer skills and experiences that can help create welcoming environments for refugees when they resettle in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Question 8

Do we have to live in a major city in order to sponsor a refugee?

Accepted Answer

Sponsored refugees are resettled anywhere in New Zealand – since Community Refugee Sponsorship is not limited to any specific parts of the country, sponsored refugees will have the opportunity to settle almost anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand, including outside of established resettlement areas. 
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Sponsored refugees travel straight to their new communities when they arrive and are supported by their Approved Sponsors immediately.