What does the community refugee sponsorship journey involve?
Community Refugee Sponsorship is a structured two-year journey that supports sponsored refugee individuals and whānau to establish new lives in Aotearoa New Zealand. The journey begins when an organisation first considers applying to become an Approved Sponsor and continues through approval, preparation, settlement, and the formal conclusion of the sponsorship programme.
Once your organisation decides to explore Community Refugee Sponsorship, HOST International Aotearoa New Zealand (HOST) is available to answer questions and provide coaching, guidance, learning, and practical resources throughout your sponsorship journey. HOST works alongside Approved Sponsors to ensure staff and volunteers have the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to support the successful settlement of sponsored refugee individuals and whānau.
Approved Sponsors also become part of a Community of Practice, providing opportunities to connect with other sponsor groups, share experiences, learn from one another, and build relationships across the sponsorship network.
The Community Refugee Sponsorship journey is organised into five phases, reflecting how support evolves over time.
"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."
Approved Sponsor, CORS programme
CORS Phases Overview
PHASE ONE: Application Process
Kaupapa Orientation
Guided by kaupapa (orientation), this phase helps organisations understand the programme, reflect on their readiness, and make an informed decision about becoming an Approved Sponsor.
Potential sponsor organisations learn about the programme, assess their readiness, and determine whether they have the capacity and commitment to become an Approved Sponsor. Throughout this phase, HOST provides coaching and guidance to help organisations understand the programme requirements and prepare a strong application. Applications are assessed by an independent panel.
Approved Sponsor Process Map
PHASE TWO: Post Approval
Whanaungatanga Relationships
Grounded in whanaungatanga (relationships), this phase focuses on building capability, strengthening connections, and laying the foundations for successful sponsorship.
Once approved, organisations become Approved Sponsors and enter the Community Refugee Sponsorship programme. Approved Sponsors select either the Nominated Pathway (sponsor-led) or the Matched Pathway (identified through an international referral partner), while eligible refugee individuals or whānau begin the immigration process.
During this phase, Approved Sponsors strengthen their knowledge through programme learning, access the online resource hub, and join the Community of Practice to connect with other sponsor groups and prepare for the journey ahead.
Refugee Sponsorship Map
PHASE THREE 3: Pre-Arrival of Refugees
Āta Haere Thoughtfulness
Guided by āta haere (thoughtfulness), this phase encourages careful preparation, relationship-building, and planning to ensure a welcoming and well-coordinated arrival.
As sponsored refugee individuals or whānau progress through the immigration process, Approved Sponsors begin preparing for their arrival in Aotearoa New Zealand.
This includes building relationships with the sponsored refugee individual or whānau, personalising the Settlement Plan, preparing suitable accommodation, engaging with tangata whenua, community organisations, employers, and local service providers, and ensuring the community is ready to provide a warm and well-coordinated welcome.
Learning, coaching, and peer support continue throughout this phase.
PHASE FOUR: Settlement of Sponsored Refugees
Manaakitanga, Ahurutanga and Tūrangawaewae
The settlement phase is guided by three kaupapa that reflect how support evolves over time: manaakitanga (kindness), ahurutanga (creating a Safe Space), and tūrangawaewae (sense of place and belonging).
The settlement phase spans the full two-year sponsorship period and is divided into three stages that reflect how support evolves over time.
Immediate Arrival and the First Three Months
The first three months focus on practical, financial, and emotional support as sponsored refugee individuals or whānau settle into their new home and begin navigating life in Aotearoa New Zealand. Approved Sponsors help connect people with essential services, education, health care, English language learning, and their local community.
First Year of Settlement
As immediate settlement needs begin to stabilise, the focus gradually shifts towards orientation to life in Aotearoa New Zealand, building confidence, strengthening community connections, and supporting sponsored refugees to pursue their own goals and aspirations. Practical settlement support may continue where needed, recognising that every settlement journey is different and that people develop confidence, independence, and belonging at their own pace.
Second Year of Settlement
The second year focuses on strengthening independence, community participation, and a sense of place and belonging. Approved Sponsors continue to provide guidance and encouragement while supporting sponsored refugee individuals and whānau to build lasting social and professional networks, pursue education and employment goals, and prepare for life beyond the formal sponsorship relationship.
Throughout the settlement phase, HOST provides ongoing coaching and guidance, while the Community of Practice offers opportunities for peer learning, collaboration, and mutual support.
"Sponsoring the families was a brilliant experience. […] overall, it was a pretty amazing experience. I've watched these three families settle
into New Zealand and I'm just quite encouraged."
"We thought we were doing it to help one person. What I didn’t expect
was how much it did for me. (…) It’s so easy to feel
disempowered by everything happening in the world.
But here was something tangible we could do. And it worked."
Approved Sponsors, CORS programme
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PHASE FIVE: Exiting the Programme
Mauri Ora Wellbeing
Grounded in mauri ora (wellbeing), this phase focuses on reflection, celebrating the journey, and supporting a positive transition beyond the formal sponsorship relationship.
As sponsored refugee individuals and whānau approach the final stages of the programme, preparation begins for the formal conclusion of Community Refugee Sponsorship.
At the end of the two-year sponsorship period, the formal sponsorship relationship concludes through a poroaki (formal farewell), recognising the completion of the shared settlement journey. Approved Sponsors reflect on their experience, celebrate achievements, and identify learnings that may strengthen future sponsorships.
While the formal programme comes to an end, relationships between Approved Sponsors and sponsored refugee individuals or whānau may continue where this is mutually welcomed and appropriate.
Sponsored refugee individuals and whānau continue their lives in Aotearoa New Zealand with increased confidence, self-agency, community connections, and a strong sense of place and belonging, supported by the foundations established throughout the sponsorship journey.
Learn more
The Community Refugee Sponsorship Programme Overview provides detailed guidance on each phase of the sponsorship journey, including the responsibilities of Approved Sponsors, practical tools and resources, and information to help your organisation prepare for sponsorship.
If your organisation is interested in becoming an Approved Sponsor, we encourage you to read the Programme Overview and contact HOST to discuss the programme and the application process. We look forward to supporting your organisation throughout your sponsorship journey.