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. Across Aotearoa New Zealand, events large and small were held to honour refugee-background communities, amplify their voices, and encourage connections.

People from refugee backgrounds bring diversity and cultural and social richness to communities and workplaces around Aotearoa New Zealand.

People like Elie Balyamhamwabo Zagabe, who is getting used to the new food, language and culture of Aotearoa New Zealand after 12 years in a refugee camp in Malawi. Elie and his family fled violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. With his wife, Irene, and four children, the Zagabe family is embracing life in Masterton after arriving three months ago.

When Otie arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand in November 2000, he woke to a quiet morning and realised how far he had come. The sounds were different, the air was colder, and the sky felt wide and open. “I didn’t know where I was,” he recalled with a smile. “But I knew I was safe.”

On Saturday, 29 November, teams converged on Victoria University of Wellington to compete in our annual international humanitarian law Moot Court competition.

Humanitarian law — also known as the rules of war — applies to armed conflicts. Humanitarian law protects people who aren’t directly involved in armed conflict and restricts what those involved can do.

On 8 November we held our 94th National Council Annual General Meeting in Wellington. National Council is our highest governing body and is responsible for electing our National President, National Board members, and National Youth Representative.