The Immigration Minister says he has received no request for help from 65 refugees who say they were heading to New Zealand when they were shipwrecked.
The refugees who have asked for New Zealand help. Photo: Supplied
Read the letter sent to the New Zealand Government by the refugees
The refugees from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar said they were heading for New Zealand when they ended up shipwrecked on an Indonesian reef earlier this week.
In a letter seen by Radio New Zealand, the refugees make a collective plea to the Government for asylum, saying it was unsafe for them to return home.
Radio New Zealand has made attempts to verify the letter, which bears the signatures of 65 people.
Nazmul Hassan, who identifies himself as one of the 65 in a Kupang detention centre, said they just wanted a peaceful life.
"We leave our country because of some problems and political violence and [too many[problems]."
"We are really in trouble now, and under pressure now."
Photo: Supplied
Mr Hassan said they were all confined to one room at the centre in West Timor.
He said the group was mentally and physically exhausted.
Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse said he had not received any requests for help.