A Bhutanese family settled in Palmerston North in 2015 as part of the refugee quota programme. Refugees bound for Horowhenua are stuck in Ecuador due to a lack of international flights and safe travel routes. The quota programme started again in early February after borders around the world were closed due to Covid-19, and the first group of 35 quote refugees arrived within the week. The 90 refugees bound for Levin were from Colombia, but were in Ecuador waiting to come to New Zealand. Refugees who arrived in New Zealand under the Refugee Quota Programme were granted Permanent Residence status in New Zealand and would not pay managed isolation fees.

Source: Stuff February 28, 2021 23:37 UTC