News
NZ Can Strengthen Global Solidarity Over Afghanistan
In his expert opinion piece, CAPRS programme manager Evan Jones argues that New Zealand has a moral obligation to enhance its support for Afghanistan in light of the Taliban's resurgence. He emphasizes that, as a nation that contributed to the conflict in...
Israel’s UNRWA Ban Sparks Concerns Over Refugee Aid and Regional Stability
This October, Israel passed a law banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from operating within the country, now designating it a terror organisation. The decision has sparked international criticism, with concerns about its impact on essential...
CAPRS Receives 2024 Research Impact Award: Highlighting CAPRS’s Research Contributions to Refugee Support and Policy
CAPRS is proud to be a recipient of the 2024 University of Auckland Research Impact Award. This award acknowledges CAPRS’s impactful research initiatives, which aim to improve outcomes for refugee communities across the Asia-Pacific region. Through...
How Ordinary Solidarities Can Lead the Way Through Extraordinary Times
In his expert opinion piece, Dr Ritesh Shah highlights the power of “ordinary solidarities” — everyday acts of care and mutual aid within communities affected by conflict, such as Gaza, Ukraine, and Aceh. He argues that these grassroots efforts, often led by...
Radio Waatea’s Interview with Dr Ritesh Shah on Lebanon Refugees Crisis
Listen to CAPRS scholar and university of Auckland's senior lecturer Dr Ritesh Shah's interview on Radio Waatea about the refugee crisis in Lebanon which hosts one of the highest numbers of refugees per capita globally—primarily Palestinians and Syrians—many of...
New Zealand’s Refugee Visa Barriers Undermine Resettlement and Humanitarian Commitments
In his commentary on RNZ's The Detail, Dr Ritesh Shah critiques New Zealand's minimal response to the escalating global refugee crisis. He points out that while the number of displaced people worldwide has nearly doubled in the past decade, New Zealand's annual...
Refugee Crises a Symptom of a Failed Global System
Dr Ritesh Shah argues that the global refugee crisis reflects a failed international system. He highlights that, despite a record 117.3 million people being forcibly displaced by conflict, violence, and climate disasters by the end of 2023, many countries are...
Call to Protect Asylum Seekers: CARPS Collaborative Efforts Highlight the Impact of Mass Arrivals Legislation
In May 2024, CAPRS played a key role in advocating for stronger protections for asylum seekers who may arrive in New Zealand by boat. CAPRS coordinated an open letter from the refugee sector, calling on the government to ensure that policies for maritime arrivals...
Impact of Gaza War on Palestinian Children and UNRWA Funding
Watch CAPRS scholar and senior lecturer Dr Ritesh Shah's interview on Q+A with Jack Tame, where he reflects on his time in the Middle East and discusses the complex politics of delivering food and aid into conflict zones—insights drawn from his years of research...
Professor Jay Marlowe Calls for Humanitarian Visas to Reunite Gaza Families with links to New Zealand
In his interview with 1News, CAPRS co-founder and co-director Professor Jay Marlowe urges the New Zealand government to establish a special humanitarian visa pathway for Palestinians in Gaza with family ties to Aotearoa. He emphasizes that this initiative is not...











