Some former Syrian refugees living in Dunedin say they are struggling with overcrowded accommodation due to the city’s housing crisis. PHOTO: MARY WILLIAMSThe plight of former refugees living in overcrowded, ageing Dunedin houses is a symptom of the city’s housing crisis that government must solve, social leaders say. Ms Barker said that in 2015, when Dunedin was being considered as a place to settle refugees, concerns had been raised about Dunedin’s "lack of quality housing and old state housing stock". "Overcrowding is a problem we have found for the former refugee community, and people in general, in the private rental market as well. The figure is around 7% of the 1500 refugees New Zealand aims now to settle through the settlement programme annually.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 06, 2026 15:35 UTC