UPDATED 2.49PM: Amnesty International believes New Zealand is sending a poor message to the rest of the world about the number of refugees to accept, and should be doing more with regards to its significant position on the UN Security Council. 

The organisation is calling for the country to double its 750 person yearly quota, to do its part in easing immigration problems in Europe, as people flee from Africa to Italy.

Executive of Amnesty International New Zealand Grant Bayldon has told Newstalk ZB our number per capita is small and it needs to be increased.

"That's especially important at the moment while New Zealand's on the security council, which has the job of dealing with these kind of issues" He said. "Really if New Zealand's not doing its fair share, how can we ask other countries to do theirs?

Bayldon argues says there are many benefits to accepting more refugees.

"There's gains for the country both from the refugees that come here and the skills and enthusiasm and hard work they bring. But there's also gains for the country in terms of how we're seen internationally."