World Refugee Day 2026: Honouring the right to seek safety

Every year on 20 June, we mark World Refugee Day to honour the courage of millions of people who have been forced to leave their homes. The day is also an opportunity to reaffirm our collective responsibility to ensure they are welcomed, included, and supported.  

The global focus for this year is the right to seek safety as a common safeguard for all. Across Aotearoa New Zealand, events large and small were held to honour refugee-background communities, amplify their voices, and encourage connections. New Zealand Red Cross marked the day by bringing refugee-background communities, partners, and supporters to celebrate connections and a sense of belonging.

Parliamentary event at Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington 

On 24 June, we gathered in the Grand Hall at Parliament to mark World Refugee Day 2026, with the core theme focusing on the right to seek safety. 

The morning brought together refugee-background communities, government leaders, diplomats, and NGOs to honour the journeys, voices, and contributions of people forced to flee their homes.   

The event began with a welcoming mihi whakatau by Kahurangi Moeahu. 

The Luo Community Wellington dance group performing at a parliamentary event.

Dima Abbas, a young person from a refugee background and a Settlement Youth Worker, shared a powerful perspective on the journey of former refugees, identity, and sense of belonging in a new community. 

Through his poetry, Abdul Samad Haidari reminded us of the power of storytelling to build understanding, preserve dignity and create hope for the future.  Guests also heard meaningful reflections from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative in Canberra, Soo-Jin Rhee, and New Zealand Red Cross National President John Dyer.   

The Luo Community Wellington dance group performed a vibrant cultural dance highlighting the diversity that refugee-background communities bring to Aotearoa New Zealand.

Community celebration in Te Papa-i-Oea | Palmerston North  

On Saturday 20 June, more than 350 people gathered at Barbara Hall, Arena 5, in Palmerston North to mark World Refugee Day and 20 years of formal refugee settlement in the Manawatu. 

The event was supported by the New Zealand Red Cross and many local organisations, and was led by the Manawatu Refugee Resettlement Forum (MRRF). The event showcased the strength of community partnerships and the positive impact of refugee settlement across the region. 

World Refugee Day 2026 event in Palmerston North.

The event featured cultural performances from a range of communities, information stalls from more than 13 organisations, children’s activities, health education and refreshments.

The Deputy Mayor of Palmerston North City Council, speaking on behalf of the council, recognises the valuable contributions of former refugees to the city. Kevin Peterson (title and organisation?) reflected on the history of refugee settlement in Palmerston North, and Govinda Regmi, New Zealand Red Cross Pathways to Settlement Manager for Palmerston North, highlighted two decades of refugee settlement in the region and achievements of the local communities.

Ngā mihi | Thank you 

We are proud to walk alongside former refugees through settlement, specialised mental health, and youth support. In the past year, we have supported more than two thousand people through our services, working with communities to ensure people feel not just welcomed, but feel at home. 

Header Image: World Refugee Day 2026 event at the Grand Hall, New Zealand Parliament.