In an exclusive interview with Newshub's Mike McRoberts, Kiwi sporting legend and refugee advocate Sonny Bill Williams has discussed his desire for New Zealand to home more of the world's most vulnerable migrants.
As our nation celebrates World Refugee Day, Williams told of his experience with refugees in Lebanon, and how it opened his eyes to some of the world's suffering.
"To be honest, it's sad," Williams said of the difference in living standard between Lebanese refugees and many New Zealanders.
"I'm not saying this is the only problem we have in the world -- we have our own problems in New Zealand -- but this is an easy fix.
"Kiwis are good-hearted people. If we see someone in need we'll stop our car, we'll get out and help, because it's just how we are. It's 2016 and the world's lost its way -- I think we can be a shining light."
Williams said New Zealand is capable of housing many more refugees than the Government's migrant policy currently allows.
"They don't have to come and live in our most populated areas. We have a beautiful landscape -- we have wide open spaces, parts of New Zealand where no-one even lives -- and there's a lot of work to go around," he said.
"At the end of the day they're humans, and we're humans. Coming from such a multi-cultural country, I'd like to think we as New Zealanders would understand that."
Williams said visiting Lebanese refugees was a moving experience for him as a relatively new father.
"Being over there, seeing it first-hand and being a parent -- it really touches your heart because you see that they're just like us," he said.
"But you just see the sad look in some of the parents' eyes, because they know that even though their kids are happy with having nothing, they don't really have a future.
"All they want is what's best for their kids, and they want their kids to have a chance at living life and being safe.
"They just want a chance at life."
Watch the video.
