The topic of this book may seem a little dry but is actually interesting reading.
Ann Beaglehole is a refugee immigrant herself (Hungary 1956), and here examines our country’s response to refugees and asylum seekers since 1840.
She looks at why particular groups have been chosen over others and how policies have changed over the decades.
The plight of internal refugees has not been forgotten either.
It is obvious that much research has taken place. This seems a thorough account. It is certainly well presented and thought provoking. This is Beaglehole’s third book, the previous ones being about refugees from Nazism settling in New Zealand.
She works for the Waitangi Tribunal Unit as a researcher.
Note: This book was published in 2013 but given the recent worldwide focus on refugees, the book is still a topical read.