Some Ukrainians in New Zealand are giving the government's sanctions plan a lukewarm response.
A view of a damaged building after shelling by Russian forces in Ukraine's second-biggest city of Kharkiv on March 3, 2022. Photo: AFP
While they say it is a good step, some think it has come too late to make any meaningful difference.
Yesterday's announcement of the proposed Russia Sanctions Bill comes amid allegations of crimes against humanity and people fleeing their homes as the war rages on.
The bill, which would allow New Zealand to freeze the assets of those associated with Russia and the invasion, is good news for Lana Burns, who has family trapped in Kyiv.
"It was great to hear that they are finally slowly catching up with the rest of the world when it comes to a range of sanctions that we can impose on Russian government and Russian oligarchs that have got money here in New Zealand."
More than 100 people, including President Vladimir Putin, have found themselves on a travel ban list.
But with the conflict intensifying and citizens continuing to flood across borders, Burns wants more to be done.
"It would be good to hear a bit more from immigration side as well, about bringing our families here. For example, my sister at the moment is trapped in Kyiv and she lost her house and she's got a baby."
Ukraine-born Kiwi lawyer Anastasiya Gutorova said the New Zealand sanctions were long overdue.
"Most importantly the bill needs to be wide in its scope and it needs to be flexible, we can't afford to have to have to go back to Parliament when there's amendments going forward."
Gutorova said the bill should also ensure things like cryptocurrency were covered.
"It also needs to be wide enough in scope to capture things like cryptocurrency to the extent New Zealand can, so New Zealand needs to think laterally about the scope of the bill."
New Zealand should also allow some Ukrainians fleeing the war to enter New Zealand, she said.
Ukrainian refugees walk a bridge at the buffer zone with the border with Poland in the border crossing of Zosin-Ustyluh, western Ukraine on 6 March, 2022. Photo: AFP
"One way to do that is to allow family to reunite where they've already got family in New Zealand," Gutorova said.
"There are potentially opportunities to allow Ukrainians to come in on a skilled migrant visa process, because a lot of them are very well-educated and they work in areas where in New Zealand there are shortages."
Ukrainian Association of New Zealand Northern region head Yuiry Gladun agreed, and wanted a lot more humanitarian aid sent to Ukraine.
He said humanitarian aid was a good way to make a stand, while not making enemies.
"Two million [dollars] of humanitarian aid is a joke. It's a price for an average Auckland house in a good location. Can we increase it? I bet we can."
The funding, announced last week, will go towards supporting health facilities on the ground and providing basic needs, such as food and hygiene items.
Today, the government announced additional support for Ukrainians.
About 140 Ukrainians here with a visa due to expire by the end of this year will be given a 12-month automatic extension.
Roughly 250 people offshore with a valid visa will be able to come to New Zealand now, bypassing the country's reconnecting steps.
