The first Syrian refugees being settled in Dunedin say they are overwhelmed by the city's warm welcome.
A warm Dunedin welcome. Photo: RNZ / Ian Telfer
Most of the group of 45 Syrians arrived at Dunedin airport this morning as part of the government's intake of 750 people over the next two years.
Cheers went up from the welcoming crowd of 50 Red Cross volunteers and staff as the families entered Dunedin airport.
It is the biggest refugee intake in decades for Dunedin, which was added by Immigration New Zealand last year as a fifth refugee resettlement city.
Since then, there's been an outpouring of donated support, food, blankets and clothes for those arriving in the city.
Forty-five Syrian refugees are starting new lives in Dunedin. Photo: RNZ / Ian Telfer
Through an interpreter one of the new arrivals, Walid Abdel Aziz, said the families felt overwhelmed.
"Kind heart, very warm, hospitality and all the welcomes .... we didn't even receive back home, from our president or anyone."
The families are now on their way to recently refurbished and furnished state houses, to start their new lives.