Nzrefugeeappeals.govt.nz
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RSAA | Home
Description
The New Zealand Refugee Status Appeals Authority
The New Zealand Refugee Status Appeals Authority (RSAA) is an independent body established to determine appeals from decisions of the Refugee Status Branch of the New Zealand Immigration Service declining refugee status.
The RSAA was initially established in 1991 under the prerogative powers of the Executive (Cabinet) of the New Zealand Government. The RSAA was later given statutory basis pursuant to the Immigration Amendment Act 1999, which came into force on 1 October 1999. Appeal proceedings are conducted by way of a confidential de novo hearing.
The RSAA currently comprises a Chairperson and 24 Members (part-time and full-time), all of whom are either legal practitioners or retired judges. They come from wide and varied legal, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and are appointed by the Governor General of New Zealand on the advice of the Minister of Immigration. Section 129N(3) of the Immigration Act 1987 provides that RSAA Members must be barristers or solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand who have held Practising Certificates for at least 5 years, or have other equivalent or appropriate experience (whether in New Zealand or overseas).
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