Today we unveil a new glass step in The Mixing Room timeline, acknowledging the first major arrival of Syrian refugees to New Zealand as a result of the crisis which began five years ago.

Te Papa has worked with the New Zealand Red Cross to make this step possible, and the exhibition now features direct links to the Red Cross website where visitors can find out more about how New Zealand settles refugees, such as the Hassan family who fled Syria and now live in Wellington.

The plight of refugees throughout the world is a significant topic of public debate, including whether New Zealand should increase its quota. Since 1987, New Zealand’s quota has remained at 750 refugees a year – it’s up for review by the government this year. A call for ‘Double the Quota’ can be seen in city streets at the moment.

Many refugees come to New Zealand as young people, and our exhibition tells their stories in their words. Visit The Mixing Room: Stories from young refugees in New Zealand on level 4 of Te Papa. Free entry.