Labour has committed to doubling New Zealand's refugee quota at a cost of $60 million a year.
It comes after Labour leader Andrew Little visited the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan as part of his trip to meet with New Zealand Army trainers deployed in Camp Taji, Iraq.
(Supplied)
Mr Little told The Nation doubling New Zealand's refugee quote from 750 to 1500 would be about right in terms of its global contribution.
"In terms of the bigger problem and the tens of thousands or millions of refugees, of course, that's a drop in the ocean. But for each of the families, for each of the lives, it's new hope," he says.
"We do it in a whole heap of other areas in terms of aid and development -- it's certainly in the South Pacific and in other parts of the world, because that's what we should do as responsible global citizens -- this is just a part of that."
Mr Little says New Zealand has adequate supports and services in place to handle an increase and that Kiwis are very welcoming to those who arrive.
"We've got communities across New Zealand willing to help. You know, it was amazing last year the letters I got from all sorts of groups, church groups and others, that are willing to help."
Mr Little added taking more refugees will benefit New Zealand in the long-term.
"They take a bit of time to acclimatise and adjust, but in the end they contribute something back, as we've always seen with refugees to have settled in New Zealand."
(Supplied)
Newshub.
