A Ukranian-born Tauranga woman is fundraising for her family to escape the war in Ukraine.

Asya Agarkova's family has been badly affected by the war, and she hopes to bring them to safety in New Zealand through the new Special Ukraine Policy visa.

Asya says she has applied for all seven of her family members to have a visa issued, but she is awaiting the documentation.

She has set up a GiveALittle page to bring her family, who lived in the south of Ukraine, to safety.

'My parents village, Mala Tokmachka, has been completely destroyed. They had to leave their home behind.

'The property was owned by my family for over 100 years. The house there was built by my grandfather and it is all gone. I feel so sad about this, since I haven't been to Ukraine in over four years. I never had the opportunity to say goodbye to it.

'Russian soldiers are now moving in where they are located now in Zaporizhzhia, so I will need to move them within the next month before they run out of food.”

The location of Asya's family after moving from their hometown. Photo: Google Maps.

Asya is planning to bring both of her parents, her younger brother and sister who are twins, her nephew, and her older brother and his pregnant wife, who is due to give birth in three weeks.

'My younger brother works in the worst part of Ukraine near the border, if I cannot get him out by May, he will have to cross the border to escape.

'My brother's wife will have to go to Bulgaria, as they found a programme that helps pregnant women, as it's not safe to give birth in Ukraine. She has a New Zealand visa already, but we are waiting for her to give birth as she cannot fly until two weeks after the baby is born.”

Asya's sister-in-law with her nephew. Supplied Photo.

'This is when my mother and sister will join her and they will fly to New Zealand together, as they will need to help her with the kids.

'My younger brother is expecting his passport at any time now. He will be the first one I can fly in right away.”

Asya's younger brother (left), older brother, and her younger sister. Supplied Photo.

'Everything is already planned out. The issue now isn't with visas, the immigration officers have done their job, we are just waiting on the passports.”

Asya also says her dad is a Russian citizen, meaning he cannot get travel documents easily.

'He will be treated poorly if he goes back to Russia as he lives in Ukraine, I think they're going to authorities to extend his foreign passport. They're trying to find solutions now.”

Asya's mother, younger sister, and father. Supplied Photo.

'Immigration New Zealand has said they would help everyone who is affected by the war, but my dad is a good example and we are struggling to find a solution.

'My mum and sister are applying for their passports today, so they will be able to come in this month. The biggest issue is my dad and finding the money to bring everyone over.

'The fundraiser is basically funding the tickets. The ticket prices are very high, at about $1700 each on average depending on when you buy.

'It's also for basic needs. The government doesn't help them at all as they are not classed as refugees. I have some ideas on what jobs they can do once they get here, but this money will help us get by for the first month until they can all get wages.”

Asya moved to New Zealand about four and a half years ago.

She has noticed a massive community response so far from Tauranga locals, and hopes to further raise money so her family can be brought to safety.

'People I didn't expect to help, helped me so much. I had messages of people offering to help get my mum a job, or to use their car when they're away. I also had help offered to set up the Givealittle page.

'There has been so much help from the community. Some people have been offering help that isn't even financial, just by offering with things they have access to such as a car when they are away."

To find out more information about Asya and her family's situation, or to donate to her fundraiser, visit her GiveALittle page at https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/escaping-the-war-in-ukraine.

She can also be contacted on her Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/asia.agarkova.