Catholic Bishops are urging the government to think deeply about how it can offer a generous response to the refugee crisis.

There is growing pressure on the New Zealand government to open its arms to more than 750 refugees per year - a figure that hasn't changed since 1987 despite the largest displacement of people from their homes since the Second World War.

The Bishops believe New Zealanders need to be aware of the needs of all refugees, both those now on television screens and those who are less visible in camps around the world.

A quota programme includes provision for 150 of the total 750 to be "transferees" from Australian detention centres, and the bishops said given that there are people within our own region, on the island of Nauru with proven refugee status, the 150 places could be treated as outside the quota.

Cardinal John Dew said that would mean that 150 places could be given to people from other parts of the world.

"Its an international crisis," Dew said, "and we should be doing something to help people."

Cardinal Dew said the quota can be increased - and manage some extraordinary allocation of places outside it - because New Zealand has a strong history of helping others, and lots of people are offering support.

"Lots of people are saying that they're willing to support and want to get in and help," Dew said.

Prime Minister John Key said he hasn't ruled out a review of the quota being brought forward.

Both the Labour Party and The Green party yesterday said that they would be trying to table their own bills next week over the matter.

Labour leader Andrew Little believes if Parliament could pass urgent legislation for the Rugby World Cup, it can do it now for refugees.

"It would be a pretty shocking thing if Parliament proves that it can, as a matter of urgency, increase our drinking hours for the sake of the Rugby World Cup but we couldn't put out the hand of friendship and hope for those in other countries desperate for safety and security."

Over the last week, support has grown for the raising of New Zealand's refugee quota, especially after images were shown of a young Syrian-Kurdish boy who had drowned and washed up on a Greek island.

Action Station, a website which campaigns on various issues, has gathered more than 14,000 signatures on a petition directed at Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse, calling for another hundred Syrian refugees to be given space in NZ, over and above the current quota.

A Facebook page called Doing Our Bit - Double NZ's Refugee Quota has garnered over 5000 'likes'.

Another page 'Open homes - Open borders' has been set up by activist Urs Signer, asking people whether they have a spare room, sleep out or bach to offer refugees.

Tracey Barnett, author and founder of refugee awareness initiative WagePeaceNZ, believes the growth in support online is indicative of the welcoming nature of New Zealanders.

"What we're seeing is that our government is sadly out of step with what is the greater feeling amongst average New Zealanders, which is that we want to do more, we can do more," Barnett said.