New Zealand will deploy a 'Special Representative for Afghanistan' to the Middle East to help bring back 1250 people granted visas, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta has announced.
While she couldn't go into specifics of individual cases granted due to privacy and security reasons, she said members of the judiciary, human rights workers and prominent women who required assistance were prioritised.
"This operation is highly dependent on multilateral cooperation with like-minded partners and countries neighbouring Afghanistan who have borne the brunt of those fleeing the Taliban," Mahuta said on Thursday.
"A Special Representative will help lead discussions, as well as work with other staff to help confirm and verify those who have managed to cross the border."
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern sent Defence Force troops to Afghanistan in August after the Taliban - which ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001 and was accused of aiding Al-Qaeda - captured the capital Kabul, forcing thousands of Afghans to flee to the airport in harrowing scenes.
The Taliban had been making significant advances in Afghanistan, after the United States under former President Donald Trump signed a deal with the insurgents, promising to withdraw after 20 years in exchange for security assurances.
The Defence Force deployment brought back 393 New Zealand visa holders from Afghanistan. A further 35 individuals have arrived in New Zealand since. Of those who arrived in New Zealand, half were women and girls.
It's in addition to the approximately 140 Afghans interpreters and their families already resettled in New Zealand over the eight years since the Defence Force military deployment in Afghanistan ended.
"The initial evacuation mission was a hugely challenging operation and while it was clear we were never going to be able to evacuate all who wished to leave in that time, we were still able to bring hundreds of people home amid a deteriorating security situation," Mahuta said.
"We are focused on the second phase of our response in Afghanistan. This means working through the financial, legal, health and security challenges that Afghan nationals who try to travel will face, as well as the practical realities of travelling to New Zealand in a global pandemic.
"Officials are also assessing what further humanitarian support New Zealand can provide, as well as the immigration pathways available."
"We are aware of other countries announcing allocations within their current refugee quotas, but we wish to fully understand the best path forward for Afghan nationals and New Zealanders.
"We will be maintaining pressure on the Taliban to uphold human rights including for women and girls and other vulnerable groups."
A Taliban representative heaped praise on New Zealand after the Government gave $3 million in aid to organisations assisting the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
The Government has so far committed $6 million in humanitarian assistance to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Population Fund, and the United Nations Children's Fund.
