Asylum Seekers Support Trust | “We Have More In Common Than Sets Us Apart”
Seeking asylum is a universal human right we all have in common, for a time when we may need it most. The right to seek safety, asylum, and protection from persecution in another country has been recognised internationally for over 75 years and is embedded in New Zealand’s domestic legal framework. It is not a privilege granted by convenience or circumstance, it is a legal and moral commitment to human dignity.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, the number of people seeking asylum remains very small relative to the overall population. Even with recent increases, asylum seekers represent only a tiny proportion of those living here. Yet public discussion often frames this increase as unexpected or concerning, rather than as part of a predictable global reality.
The scale of displacement worldwide puts this into perspective.
A global humanitarian context
Today:
- 117 million people are forcibly displaced due to persecution, war, conflict, and climate change. This figure has doubled in the past decade.
- 30.5 million Refugees are currently under the mandate of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
- 71% of refugees are hosted by low- and middle-income countries.
- Only 1% are resettled in third countries.
Against this backdrop, New Zealand’s contribution is extremely small:
This is not an outlier, it is part of a global system where responsibility is unevenly shared, and where the vast majority of displaced people remain close to regions of origin.
The work of the Asylum Seekers Support Trust reflects a simple but often overlooked truth: displacement does not define difference, it reveals shared vulnerability.
People seeking asylum are not a distant “issue” or statistical category. They are Fathers, Mothers, Sons & Daughters, navigating fear, uncertainty, and legal systems in pursuit of safety. Their experiences are shaped by circumstances that could, under different conditions, affect anyone.
The quote that “we have more in common than sets us apart” is not a slogan, it is a reminder that protection frameworks exist precisely because human life is fragile, and safety is not universally guaranteed.
Moving beyond fear toward understanding
When global displacement reaches record levels, it is neither surprising nor exceptional that small countries like New Zealand see fluctuations in asylum applications. The challenge is not to treat this as a crisis, but to respond with proportion, evidence, and humanity.
At its core, asylum is about responsibility shared across nations and grounded in law: to protect those who cannot safely return home. In doing so, we affirm not only international commitments, but also the values that define Aotearoa as a place of fairness and care. Because ultimately, the measure of a society is not how it treats the comfortable, but how it responds to those in need of safety.
Asylum seekers in New Zealand are entitled to access publicly funded healthcare, ensuring that essential medical support is available while their claims are being processed. This reflects New Zealand’s commitment to basic human rights and the wellbeing of all people within its care.
If you would like to learn more about asylum seekers, their experiences, or the support services available, please feel free to contact us. You can also follow us on our social media channels for updates and information.
Our team is approachable and always happy to connect. We welcome visits, discussions, and are available to deliver presentations to your organisation or team to help build understanding and awareness of asylum issues in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Dawit Arshak, General Manager, Asylum Seekers Support Trust
Image caption: Dawit Arshak, General Manager, Asylum Seekers Support Trust, A Division of Aotearoa Refugee Support Trust
