Stories by Gill Bonnett
News
Man in prison for murder to be deported on release despite 17 years in New Zealand
A man who launched a fatal attack on an Auckland party-goer will be deported to Samoa when he is released from prison.
Call for scrutiny of Chinese workers' agents, 'lightning speed' visas
An investigation into 10 unlawful Chinese workers should also probe whether agents and corrupt officials helped them secure visas, an immigration lawyer says.
Bubble comes with baggage: Passengers get luggage taken to MIQ
Passengers arriving in Auckland on three flights today have not picked up their luggage at the airport, under a trial which sees bags taken directly to managed isolation hotels.
More emergency spaces added to MIQ, families hopeful of reuniting
Families split by the border closure say news that spare places in managed isolation could be used to reunite them with their partners and children is exciting.
Hundreds of managed isolation vouchers now available for April
Hundreds of managed isolation vouchers have come free for April, and authorities are urging travellers to snap them up.
Karel Sroubek given date for deportation hearing
An appeal by convicted drug smuggler Karel Sroubek against his deportation will be heard in July.
Post-study work visa holders: 'We are being discriminated against'
International graduates are asking the government to remember its promise about allowing migrants who used to live in New Zealand to return.
'It's like a battle of attrition' - Migrant says benefit refusals and delays unjustified
A migrant who was refused government support when he lost his job says unjustified rejections and delays are being used to keep benefit-application numbers low.
Queen tribute act border approval 'kick in the guts' for separated families - National
A Queen tribute act is the latest entertainment crew to gain border exceptions as critical workers and the National Party says it's a "kick in the guts" for families separated from loved ones.
Man allowed to stay in NZ after conning people out of thousands
A couple who faced deportation asked Oranga Tamariki about finding adoptive parents for their daughters so the pre-schoolers could stay in New Zealand.
Visas delayed by Auckland Covid-19 lockdowns - Immigration NZ
Auckland's two recent lockdowns and the limitations of working from home have been blamed for a stalled residence visa queue.
Fearing deportation at 97: 'I'd die'
A 97-year-old woman is among those who fear they will be deported from New Zealand to countries ravaged by coronavirus.
Skilled migrant residency programme in need of review - Faafoi
The immigration minister is considering a revamp of New Zealand's largest residence programme.
Some people 'may now be in NZ unlawfully'
Immigration New Zealand is apologising after sending emails mistakenly informing people their visas had been extended.
A third of rejected asylum cases overturned by appeals tribunal
The immigration and protection tribunal has also upheld appeals by more than one in three people due to be deported.
Doubt over managed isolation facilities 'full house' predictions
Managed isolation demand is forecast to outstrip supply by more than 150 rooms in the next three days, but figures over Christmas and New Year cast doubt on the predictions.
Immigration adviser ordered to pay $10k after family's residency dream ruined
An immigration adviser has been ordered to pay almost $10,000 after bad advice led to a family's residence application being rejected.
Promoter claims border approvals a 'game of favourites'
International music and comedy acts are being approved and rejected for border exemptions in a "game of favourites", according to a promoter.
'Not humanitarian enough' - families apart at Christmas
Families spending Christmas apart because of closed borders say they need hope of being reunited in the New Year.
$2b worth of investor visas 'locked up in office in Wellington'
Only a handful of immigration officials are working on processing investor visas that have a total value of more than $2 billion.
Iranian teenager granted refugee status
An Iranian boy who was sexually abused and bullied as a child would face mental and physical harm if he was forced to return and carry out military service, an appeals tribunal has ruled.
How the Five Eyes countries share immigration data
In June, MBIE implemented a system that sped up responses among Five Eyes' border agencies in sharing identity data.
Immigration NZ visa processing finances $135m in the red
The hole in Immigration NZ books has blown out to almost $135m and it's been more than a decade since the agency raised more in visa revenue than it spent.
Managed isolation charges: Third of users not paid fee after three months
A third of all those invoiced for their stays in managed isolation have not paid - more than three months later.
Partnership visa two-tier system: 'What's the logic?'
New Zealand citizens and residents say the government's solution to reuniting them with their overseas partners has led to unexpected, unfair and dangerous consequences.