Horowhenua mayor Michael Feyen already knew details of the plan to settle refugees in Levin, despite saying he was not consulted. An Immigration New Zealand official says Horowhenua mayor Michael Feyen supported Levin becoming a refugee resettlement location, despite him saying he wasn't consulted before the scheme was announced earlier this year. In response to questions from Stuff, Immigration NZ's refugee national manager Andrew Lockhart said Feyen and Horowhenua District councillor Jo Mason told officials they were worried about Levin becoming a refugee resettlement location, but showed "support and commitment" to the process. The email said the contract for providing resettlement services would go to tender. Levin was announced alongside Timaru, Whanganui, Blenheim and Masterton as new refugee resettlement locations and the first refugees were expected to arrive in a year's time.

Source: Stuff July 16, 2019 03:56 UTC