 On 16 May 2020, the Green Party's immigration spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman announced that the Government will be doubling the cap on New Zealands' family reunification scheme from 300 to 600 over the next three years under a new NZ$21 million funding boost.For the first time in the programme's history, funding would go towards the programme that would take away some of the burden on sponsoring families.Each year, New Zealand accepts 1000 refugees, increasing to 1,500 in July 2020, as part of an agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, whereby their status has been "mandated" or authenticated by the UNHCR.