Jacinda Ardern has confirmed she will again offer for New Zealand to take 150 of the refugees currently subjected to Australian offshore processing legislation.
Currently around 600 migrants are facing starvation on Manus Island after refusing to leave their temporary accommodation that no longer has power or water - for new accommodation in Papau New Guinea that they claim is unsafe.
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Ms Ardern says the 150 Manus Island refugees will come out of the existing refugee quota.
"New Zealand's offer comes from within our existing refugee quota and applies to refugees on both Manus Island and Nauru," Ms Ardern said.
"I expect that the situation on Manus Island will be discussed in my meeting with [Australian] Prime Minister Turnbull on Sunday. I intend to reaffirm our offer when we meet.
"I acknowledge that, while New Zealand has not had to contend with these issues on our shores, it's hard to ignore the human face of this situation and nor should it be ignored.
"New Zealand will also maintain its right to use its robust screening processes for the Refugee Quota programme, regardless of the origin of the refugees. This will safeguard against any security concerns."
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