Mission Statement of the Refugee Council of New Zealand Inc.

The Refugee Council of New Zealand (RCNZ) is a national organisation whose purpose is to provide advice, information and assistance to asylum-seekers and refugees in New Zealand; promote a strategic response to the needs of refugees and asylum seekers; and to campaign to ensure that New Zealand meets its legal and humanitarian obligations under the 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees.

The RCNZ is committed to facilitating the participation of refugees and asylum-seekers at all levels in the community. It aims in particular to:

• Ensure that all aspects of New Zealand’s asylum and refugee policy and practice (legal, social, economic, health and cultural) fully respect international law and the human rights of asylum-seekers and refugees;
• Promote public awareness and understanding of refugee and asylum issues;
• Serve the networking, information exchange and advocacy needs of the asylum- seeking / refugee community, the RCNZ membership and other organisations with similar aims.

The RCNZ works closely with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the New Zealand government, and other statutory and voluntary agencies to meet its objectives.

Executive officers 2007-2008:

President		Dr. Nagalingam Rasalingam
Vice President		Dr Arif Saeid - (Afghani Community)
Vice President		Mr S K Thuraisundaram - (Tamil Community)
Secretary		Ms Ruth De Souza
Treasurer		Mr Brian Webster
Executive Members		Mr George Arulanantham - (Tamil Community)
		Mr Jean-Paul Bizoza - (Burundi Community)
		Mr Mike Darke - (Combined Beneficiaries Union)
		Mr Santino Atem Deng - (Sudanese Community)
		Mr Myint Thu Han - (Burmese Community)
		Mr Colin Henry - (Barrister and Solicitor)
		Dr Ghirmai Misghina
		Mr Gary E Poole - (RAS New Zealand)
		Mrs Malar Rasalingam
		Mr Dinesh Tailor
		Dr Symphy Tindi
Admin/Liaison		Mr Roger Brookes