A group of Afghans who put their lives at risk helping Kiwi soldiers take on the Taliban in Afghanistan has met its match in Hamilton.

An unspecified number of interpreters, who were relocated to New Zealand with their families, have requested assistance to leave the city after becoming concerned for their safety.

A briefing prepared by the Defence Force for Minister Gerry Brownlee and released under the Official Information Act reveals the group has expressed their "potential dissatisfaction" about their situation.

Having served with the Kiwi SAS and with soldiers of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamiyan province, the group of immigrants requested financial assistance to move to Auckland. Two other immigrants who arrived in New Zealand with the same group were happy to remain in Hamilton.

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A total of 44 interpreters resettled in New Zealand, with an additional 96 family members migrating as well. Most initially went to Hamilton or Palmerston North.

Under the terms of the agreement that relocated the interpreters, the Defence Force paid for their travel to New Zealand and medical examinations before their departure.

The Immigration Service and the Ministry of Social Development were responsible for their resettlement but the briefing states that because of the previous working relationship the Army has maintained an interest in their welfare.

However, when the Defence Force met with the group and the Red Cross about their request it was made clear there was no responsibility to pay for them to leave Hamilton.

The interpreters also raised their concerns with their local MPs, including the Labour Party Immigration spokeswoman Sue Moroney.

Moroney said she was unable to comment about the circumstances of the situation as the interpreters did not want to speak publicly.

"I always make myself available to all members of the community.

"Hamilton is a very ethnically diverse place and there are always new and developing challenges to deal with."

English Language Partners NZ manager Jo de Lisle, who has assisted some of the interpreters in their resettlement, said there had been several incidents on a street in the suburb of Fairfield, where a group of Afghan families was placed.

The street had a bad reputation and some unsavoury characters, which had frightened some of the immigrants, she said.

"When they were first there they were OK and then a certain [person] came out of prison and there were four families in that street and they all moved away, it was quite scary."

It was not uncommon for immigrants to have trouble adjusting to their new life but it had been especially hard for the Afghans who had helped the NZDF.

"I think some of the interpreters had expectations...that were perhaps beyond the reality.

"Because they worked for the army and because they got a lot of acclaim when they came into the country and a special case had been made with them, but once they were here they were like anybody else and I think for some of them that's been hard."

Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker was unaware of any problems, but said the city had a strong migrant and refugee presence.

"All reports are that goes really, really well. Hamilton has received awards for our diversity in our city...we have strong ethnic groups that support our migrants and refugees."

Ministry of Social Development lead public affairs advisor Lee Harris-Royal said no comment could be made because of privacy reasons. Several former interpreters and their families still live in Palmerston North.

*A correction has been made to this article. It originally had a photo of interpreters at work with defence force personnel in Afghanistan which included one interpreter who is not one of those seeking to leave Hamilton.