As Head of Refugee Quota Programmes in the Refugee and Migrant Services branch, Qemajl Murati brings unique life experience, world-leading subject matter expertise and genuine aroha (compassion, empathy, kindness) to a key area of our mahi (work) at Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

Now, in 2023, Qemajl has been recognised with the New Zealand Public Service Medal Te Tohu Ratonga Tūmatanui in the 2023 Public Service Day Awards Te Rā Ratonga Tūmatanui.

“Apart from the loss of a close family member or a loved one, there is no greater grief for a human being than being forcefully pushed out their home,” says Qemajl.

“Over the years I have had the greatest privilege and honour to be able to work for, and with, amazing people who show great dedication and go far beyond their day jobs to offer a helping hand in welcoming to Aotearoa and bringing back hope to thousands of children, young, elderly, sick from all corners of the world and restore their lives.”

Alison McDonald, Deputy Secretary Immigration says Qemajl is an outstanding public servant with an unwavering dedication to serving people and improving the lives of newly arrived refugees into Aotearoa New Zealand.

“His work spans over 20 years, leading New Zealand's Refugee Programme from offshore refugee selection missions through to running a world leading inter-agency refugee reception programme at Te Āhuru Mōwai o Aotearoa,” Alison says.

“Qemajl's lived experience coming from Kosovo to New Zealand in the 1990s gives him a unique perspective of the difficulties of resettling in a new country and the importance of a positive initial welcome.”

The Refugee Quota Programme has grown significantly in recent years, and the work has become more complex and challenging.

“Qemajl has consistently demonstrated his strong leadership in this area both across agencies and with communities to successfully deliver the programme,” Andrew Lockhart, National Manager Refugee and Migrant Support says.

“Qemajl is generous with his time and shares his extensive knowledge of refugee resettlement and international protection with domestic and international partners, which has helped to grow New Zealand’s reputation for settlement.”

Qemajl’s work and dedication supporting refugees, is also recognised by the other agencies that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and INZ partner closely with regarding the 5 week resettlement reception programme.

As manager of Te Āhuru Mōwai o Aotearoa, Qemajl interacts regularly with other agency representatives to ensure refugees get the support they need.

“When you talk and work with Qemajl on issues affecting the lives of refugees, you know that he brings both head and heart to the job,” says Kate O’Malley, Senior Protection Officer, United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

“Refugee resettlement is complex policy. Implementation presents a myriad of challenges – logistical and practical – and often matters arise that require swift and bespoke approaches. I have seen Qemajl tackle these challenges with energy and confidence that a way can be found,” Kate says

The reception programme is always a complex challenge, but particularly during the border closures and lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years. A key pillar of that programme involves working with the Ministry of Education to ensure refugees have the language skills needed to resettle in the community.

“During the past 2 years we have experienced significant upheavals with COVID-19, disruption to the Refugee Quota Programme, and responding to the crisis in Afghanistan,” says Maree Jeurissen, Manager ESOL, Migrant, Refugee and International Education, Ministry of Education.

“Qemajl has had to manage competing demands on his time and fast-moving changes to schedules and situations. All of this has been done in a calm, collaborative, and generous manner.”

Refugees often arrive into New Zealand with very little. This means support from the Ministry of Social Development, which places 2 kaimahi at Te Āhuru Mōwai o Aotearoa full-time, is very important.

“We’ve worked closely with Qemajl and his team over many years and witnessed first-hand the transformational impact his leadership has on the lives of vulnerable people fleeing their homelands to start a new life here,” says Nephi Baucke, Regional Director Auckland South, Ministry of Social Development.