Giving people from refugee backgrounds an official voice on issues that affect them has been the focus of the inaugural New Zealand Refugee Advisory Panel, now into its second term.

Resettlement and integration, cultural and social inclusion, mental health support, youth education, legal and immigration processes, community safety and developing leadership in refugee communities are just some of the areas the New Zealand Refugee Advisory Panel (NZRAP) has been involved with since forming in 2022.

And now six new members from around New Zealand will be joining the panel for its second term.

Recently named in the King’s Birthday Honours, human rights lawyer Rez Gardi MNZM, the project director for the NZRAP Secretariat and the co-director of the University’s Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies, says it’s a privilege to welcome the newly appointed members.

“Their appointments reflect the calibre, depth, and diversity of leadership within refugee-background communities across Aotearoa.”

Gardi says the panel plays a vital role in ensuring the perspectives and expertise of those with lived experience of forced displacement are not only heard but embedded in government policy and practice.

“We look forward to supporting the panel as it builds on the foundations laid by its inaugural cohort.”

Highlights of the panel’s first term include: developing a working definition of ‘meaningful refugee participation’, now adopted by the NZ government; playing a leading role in the National Refugee Resettlement Forum, alongside Immigration New Zealand; and co-drafting pledges made by the government at the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, where panel members attended international conferences.

Retiring panel member Somali-born Ayan Said says serving on the panel is about ensuring refugee participation is not just symbolic but changes the system for the better.

“The NZRAP is where experience meets expertise. Meaningful refugee participation is not a favour it's a fundamental right that strengthens policies and empowers communities. True participation means moving beyond tokenism to build trust, share power, and co-create change.”

A former refugee from Syria, Rabia Talal Almbaid, another member now stepping down, says it’s been an incredible honour to serve on the panel and a “defining highlight” of his career, but the panel is in good hands.

“The newly appointed members bring remarkable talent, experiences, and insight into the space. We are excited to see them carry the work forward, as there is more work to do.”

The acting national manager of Refugee and Migrant Support, Sarah Ward, says the panel’s second term will build on the strong foundations laid by its inaugural members.

“We’re proud to support the NZRAP as part of our ongoing commitment to meaningful refugee participation and to New Zealand’s world-class refugee resettlement programme,” she says.

“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the outgoing panel members for their leadership and dedication and warmly welcome the new members and look forward to the important mahi ahead.”

The six new members were selected through an open nationwide process that attracted applications from across the country.

Newly appointed members 1 July 2025:

• Sara Ahmad – Hamilton
• Nimo Ahmed – Whangārei
• Liaquat Ali Changezi – Hamilton
• Nada Haroura – Dunedin
• Beth Ketema – Auckland
• Abrar Saleh – Auckland

Continuing members (since March 2024):

• Jane Smith – Christchurch
• Jose Tombe – Wellington

The New Zealand Refugee Advisory Panel is a collaboration between Immigration New Zealand and the Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, supported by refugee-led organisations, academics, and civil society.
Find out more about the panel’s achievements.

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