The message that Pacific people affected by climate change would rather stay in their homes than become refugees in New Zealand was reiterated by a panel at Canterbury University on Thursday.
"In New Zealand thinking from this perspective we're very focussed on what does it mean for Pacific islanders to come here, what does it mean for us, how do we make that space and how do we deal with that issue here.
"But i think it makes it a bit easier for us to understand our role when we remember that for people in communities experiencing the threat of displacement it's only one pathway and there are a lot of other things they're thinking about first."
Dr Iati Iati from Otago University said New Zealanders would need to look at the assumptions and issues around Pacific climate change before they decide whether taking refugees is a good idea.
Dr Iati said that Pacific communities have indicated that they fear the loss of their identity if they have to leave their homes and come to New Zealand.
"Connections to their lands, spiritually, culturally. If you were to give them the option of coming to New Zealand, or their countries, the majority would want to remain in their countries."
网友评论