The war in Ukraine has already cost thousands of Ukrainian lives, and the country’s economy is in ruin. Furthermore, the war has the potential to escalate to a terrifying new level following Putin’s recent announcement of army conscription in Russia and the threat to use nuclear weapons. Different countries do what they can to save and help people affected by this horrible war, and we, in Aotearoa New Zealand, also can act within our means. We can do what we are good at – uniting and bringing kindness to this world, and giving a compassionate helping hand. 

We ask the New Zealand government to expand the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa by removing "You must have family members in New Zealand who are eligible to sponsor you" from the "Who can apply" section and remove "have been born in Ukraine, or have held citizenship or be a permanent resident of Ukraine" from the "Who is eligible to sponsor" section.

Any New Zealand citizen or the holder of a current residence class visa should be eligible to nominate and support, apply for and bring Ukrainians to New Zealand.