The Auckland Refugee Council
The Auckland Refugee Council (Inc) was established in 1989 to advance the interests of refugees in New Zealand. The Council is a non-governmental organisation; non-partisan and non-profit making. ARCI was set up originally to:
- monitor refugee issues in Auckland and in New Zealand
- advise government on national and regional policies on matters affecting refugees
- establish a refugee network in Auckland for information sharing and community education
- work towards the improvement of services to refugees.
ARCI is active in all matters concerning the welfare of asylum seekers and convention refugees both at a political and grass roots level, providing practical support, information and advice.
Mission Statement
Auckland Refugee Council (Inc) is committed to supporting asylum seekers and convention refugees by advocacy and service provision.
A refugee is defined by the United Nations 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees as amended by the 1967 Protocol as a person who: "owing to well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country;
or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it".