Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller has welcomed government's plans to let an additional 750 Syrian refugees in to New Zealand over the next two-and-a-half years.

Prime Minister John Key announced the emergency package yesterday in response to the surge of refugees currently fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East.

Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller. Photo: File.

Key accepted the country's need to play their part, and agreed to open the borders to an extra 600 Syrians, with a further 150 allowed in as part of an existing annual intake of 750 refugees.

'The images and stories of the masses of asylum seeking families spilling out of Syria into neighbouring countries and Europe have been distressing,” admits Todd.

'I fully support the government's decision to bring in 750 more Syrian refugees and to increase our humanitarian funding by another $4.5 million.

New Zealand's total contribution to support people affected by on-going violence in Syria and Iraq will now reach $20 million.

'Our humanitarian support has helped build schools in refugee camps in Turkey, delivered basic education and skills training in Jordan, provided health and education support to Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon, and funded the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Syria,” adds Todd.

'The additional funding will help refugees in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan and will be delivered through partnerships with host governments, UN agencies, and New Zealand non-government organisations.

'One of the most effective ways we can help address this humanitarian crisis is by ensuring there are facilities to cater for refugees in countries neighbouring Syria and that these refugee communities are afforded adequate protection.

'Many Syrian refugees wish to return home once it is safe, so finding a political solution to the civil war in Syria needs to be the international community's top priority.

'New Zealand is using its position on the United Nations Security Council to call for action and we continue to urge all members to work together to find a way of ending the violence.”