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Overstayer Olivia Halafihi, now granted residency - Source: ONE News -
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Thirteen Pacific Island families have been granted residency after the Ombudsman decided that they had been unfairly treated by Immigration New Zealand.
The families had attended sessions run by Immigration's Pacific Division, a department that was abolished in 2009 after a damning government report.
The Ombudsman ruled that the information the families were given during the 2005 meetings was confusing and misleading.
That has prompted Immigration New Zealand to grant them residency, pending medical and police clearance.
Overstayer Olivia Halafihi has spent years in hiding. She told ONE News the decision is an overwhelming relief.
"I am very, very happy because of this opportunity offered to me and my family."
For the Sili family the reprieve means an end to years spent living in fear.
"I [would] never open the door for anyone who is knocking because of the fear we have," said Rawinia Sili.
But while the families celebrate, immigration lawyer Richard Small believes there are hundreds of others who were misled by the Pacific Division.
"We have another possible 20 cases unresolved. We have not been able to progress them because of the sheer volume the ombudsman has received. They simply could not start to investigate these cases."
And Small said time is running out for overstayers who risk being deported at any time before having their cases heard.
Small is calling for New Zealand to have a special immigration Ombudsman, like that in Australia.
Immigration New Zealand said it is still working through issues it inherited from the Pacific Division, and will consider each individual case on its merits.
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