The first group of Syrian refugees to arrive in Dunedin are settling in well and impressed with the city and the support they are receiving.
Mouhannad Taha, part of the extended Taha family, who have left Syria and resettled in Dunedin, said the 49 refugees had been busy organising their houses and staying in touch with each other since arriving last Friday.
"The refugees I have met with this week were very impressed and satisfied with being here.''
Many of them went to Dunedin's mosque for Friday prayers yesterday.
They were "very grateful'' for the support they had been given by Red Cross and Dunedin residents.
"They are looking forward to learning English so they can tell the people of New Zealand how grateful they are.''
Red Cross volunteer team leader Leisa de Klerk said volunteers had been helping the refugees with GP and Work and Income appointments in the last week.
"There have been a couple of birthdays this week for some of the younger kids, so they have been helping them celebrate, as well,'' Ms de Klerk said.
With the school holidays ending on Monday, Red Cross would begin enrolling the refugee children in schools next week.
The refugees were "taking it as it comes'' in their first week and making an effort to get know their neighbourhoods and Dunedin.
The volunteers were well-supported and "so excited'' to be a part of the first intake of Syrian refugees to the city.
