24 Apr 2015

Increase in refugee numbers unlikely - PM

11:10 am on 24 April 2015

The Prime Minister says it is unlikely there will be an increase in the number of refugees New Zealand takes.

Mr Key started his visit by attending the International Peace Summit in Istanbul.

John Key at the International Peace Summit in Istanbul. Photo: Jacob Resneck

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, opening a peace summit in Istanbul, has criticised the United Nations and Western countries for turning a blind eye to the refugee crisis caused by Islamic State.

Mr Key, who is also in Turkey, said New Zealand took 750 refugees and their families each year and there were no plans to increase that.

He said it had been at that level for 20-30 years and successive governments had worked hard to ensure they were well adjusted to New Zealand life and had all the resources they needed - and the number was about right.

Mr Key said he believed New Zealand could do more in terms of humanitarian aid.

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