ABOUT US
The New Zealand Refugee Status Appeals Authority
The New Zealand Refugee Status Appeals Authority (RSAA) is an independent body established to determine appeals from decisions of the Refugee Status Branch of the New Zealand Immigration Service declining refugee status.
The RSAA was initially established in 1991 under the prerogative powers of the Executive (Cabinet) of the New Zealand Government. The RSAA was later given statutory basis pursuant to the Immigration Amendment Act 1999, which came into force on 1 October 1999. Appeal proceedings are conducted by way of a confidential de novo hearing.
The RSAA currently comprises a Chairperson and 9 Members (part-time and full-time), all of whom are either legal practitioners or retired judges. They come from wide and varied legal, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and are appointed by the Governor General of New Zealand on the advice of the Minister of Immigration. Section 129N(3) of the Immigration Act 1987 provides that RSAA Members must be barristers or solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand who have held Practising Certificates for at least 5 years, or have other equivalent or appropriate experience (whether in New Zealand or overseas).
Members of the RSAA are assisted by a Registrar, administrative and secretarial support staff, as well as four librarians (located at the Refugee Research and Information Branch) and three legal associates who provide country information and legal research support.
The contact details of the RSAA are as follows:
Refugee Status Appeals Authority,
Level 22, 120 Albert Street,
Auckland,
New Zealand.
PO Box 90-251,
Auckland Mail Centre,
Auckland 1142,
New Zealand
Telephone: (64 9) 914-4299
Facsimile: (64 9) 914-5263
Refugee Research and Information Branch
(The Nicholson Library)
The Nicholson Library is a specialist collection of country, human rights and legal information pertaining to refugee issues. It was established in 1996 to serve the Refugee Status Branch of the New Zealand Immigration Service and the New Zealand Refugee Status Appeals Authority. Other third parties with a legitimate interest in refugee law and issues, including refugee claimants, their counsel and representatives, may visit the library by appointment to undertake their own research.
For an appointment to visit, contact the library at:
Refugee Research and Information Branch,
P.O. Box 90247,
Auckland Mail Centre,
Auckland New Zealand.
Telephone: (64 9) 914-4177
Facsimile : (64 9) 914-5266
wf-nzrslibrary@dol.govt.nz
