WELLINGTON, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Two refugee families were welcomed to Christchurch, New Zealand on Friday as the city continued its "proud tradition of offering a fresh start to families forced to flee their homeland," according to the City Council.

The families from Eritrea and Afghanistan are being settled in Christchurch under the Refugee Resettlement Program, which Christchurch re-joined last year after an eight-year hiatus forced by the earthquakes.

They will join 22 other refugees from Eritrea and Afghanistan who arrived in Christchurch in March. More refugees are expected throughout the year, the City Council statement said.

Christchurch, the largest city of New Zealand's South Island, will receive about 120 refugees each year through the Refugee Resettlement Program, Mayor Lianne Dalziel said, adding the city prepares to welcome more refugees.

"The two families arriving today are coming from communities that are already established here so they will get lots of support as they start their new lives but I hope the whole city will rally behind them," the mayor said.

"We have a responsibility to make sure that everyone feels welcomed and a part of our richly diverse city, no matter their ethnicity, religion, or where they have come from," she said.

"As a city we want people from all backgrounds to be actively involved in every aspect of what we do."