Rainbow Quota Report
Intended as a green paper, this report positions Aotearoa to show international leadership in LGBTIQ+ protection by creating a special rainbow category under its refugee quota.
“A Rainbow Refugee Quota for Aotearoa” is a green paper that proposes the creation of a dedicated resettlement category for LGBTQI+ refugees under New Zealand’s Refugee Quota Programme. Written by Dr Murdoch Stephens, the report is aimed at government decision-makers, while also centering the experiences and insights of LGBTQI+ refugees and the communities that support them.
Developed with support from a ten-person Rainbow Advisory Group — including five people with lived experience as refugees and all identifying as LGBTQI+ — the report reflects a strong commitment to inclusive policy design. The advisory group’s formation aligns with the Canberra Statement on LGBTIQ+ Refugees, which calls for the meaningful participation of LGBTQI+ refugees in shaping the policies that affect them.
The report outlines how a Rainbow Quota could be structured, supported, and positioned as an example of international leadership in refugee protection. While not an exhaustive review of all LGBTQI+ refugee issues, it offers a foundation for future policy discussions, collaboration, and research