Emotions ran high as about 50 Syrian refugees were welcomed to Dunedin yesterday morning after escaping the pain of war.
Dozens of Red Cross volunteers were at Dunedin Airport to greet the first Syrians to arrive in the city.
There was applause and a few tears as the families, who had spent six weeks at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre, disembarked and made their way past the waiting crowd, some of whom were holding welcome placards in English and Arabic.
Wafaa Alshram, who raised her hands in thanks from her wheelchair as she got off the plane, said arriving in Dunedin came with mixed feelings after she was forced to leave her 16-year-old son behind in Syria.
Speaking through an interpreter she said she "couldn't let him come ... because maybe they will take him''.
She was "sad and happy'' at the same time, but mostly happy because she was looking forward to a "good life'' in Dunedin, where she hoped to find work and learn how to use a computer.
Originally from Damascus, she left Syria for Lebanon two years ago and had no idea what had happened to her home in Syria.
She knew nothing about New Zealand, except its location on a map, before learning she could resettle here.
Her son Ahmed (13) said he was "very happy'' to be in Dunedin.
At a private welcoming Walid Abdel Azizi spoke, with the aid of an interpreter, on behalf of the refugees, at times almost breaking down as he expressed how grateful they were to have been welcomed to their new home.
"On behalf of the Syrians who arrived today from Auckland, I would like to present my gratitude, my respect, my appreciation to everyone who welcomed us today.
"Thank you for all your smiles. You have planted hope inside of us.
"We thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and we promise to be up to your expectations.''
Speaking to media later, he said he and his family had settled in Aleppo before leaving because of the war.
Asked about the situation in Syria, he said: "What should I say?
"It is indescribable. There is massive destruction,'' Mr Azizi said.
The welcome was particularly touching for members of Dunedin's small Syrian community, who also had escaped the war-torn country.
Among them was computer science student Yasmin Saleem, who left Damascus two years ago to study at the University of Otago after her studies and life back home were affected by war.
"It's overwhelming. I couldn't help but shed a few tears.
"It's like welcoming a part of your family. Even though we don't know each other, we could feel each other.''
She hoped to get to know some of the refugees.
"We haven't really introduced ourselves properly yet, but I know some names now, and I got to speak to a few of them.''
She had a few flashbacks about the war as the refugees arrived and imagined how difficult their journeys must have been.
"I was trying to imagine how they would feel, but I don't know if I could.''
Mouhannad Taha, part of the extended Taha family, who have resettled in Dunedin, said it was "very emotional'' welcoming people from his homeland.
"It's really exciting; it's a wonderful atmosphere. Everyone is amazed and overwhelmed with the public support... for the newcomers from Syria.''
But he could not help thinking of the less fortunate Syrians who had not been able to leave, Mr Taha said.
"I'm thinking about the people there who are still suffering and couldn't get out.''
Red Cross volunteer Steve Walker, who along with many others was affected by emotion as the refugees arrived, said the morning had been "tremendously moving''.
"I am extraordinarily chuffed to see the excitement and joy on the incoming refugees' faces,'' Mr Walker said.
"It's probably the first time in many years for these people they can actually start at day 1 of their new lives.''
Red Cross southern humanitarian services manager Sue Price said after months of preparation everything was ready for the refugees.
She was heartened by the welcome they were given.
"It just feels like there is a lot of goodwill and love in the room.''
After leaving the airport, the refugees, along with the Red Cross volunteers assigned to them, were taken to their new homes, which have been furnished by Immigration New Zealand and with items given by the people of Dunedin.
The 49 Syrians welcomed yesterday were the first to arrive in Dunedin after it was chosen as a resettlement location last year - 38 arrived on the morning flight and 11 came in the afternoon.
A second group of about 45 refugees will arrive in the city in June and after that about 30 refugees will arrive in Dunedin every two months.
A total of about 175 refugees would come to the city each year.
