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AAP
AAP
Politics
Dominic Giannini

Refugees fly from Nauru to New Zealand

Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil has confirmed the transfer of refugees from Nauru to New Zealand. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

The first six refugees to be resettled in New Zealand under a deal with Australia have arrived in the country.

New Zealand has agreed to take 450 refugees being held in Australia's offshore processing centres on Manus Island and Nauru over the next three years.

The first group landed in Auckland on Tuesday.

"We confirm a flight left Nauru today destined for New Zealand with an initial six refugees on board," Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said.

"The Australian and New Zealand governments continue to work together to resettle annually 150 refugees from Australia's existing regional processing cohort."

The trans-Tasman agreement was first struck in 2013 but Australia did not take up the resettlement deal until earlier this year.

The pact only applies to refugees already in detention and not to asylum seekers who arrive by boat in the future.

About 100 refugees remain on Nauru.

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