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Faafoi Vito - Source: ONE News -
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An Auckland family, whose Samoan mother became critically ill while visiting them in New Zealand, have been effectively abandoned by New Zealand authorities.
Faafoi Vito had a stroke while visiting her son Lino and his New Zealand family earlier this year.
However, as a non-resident, she was discharged from North Shore hospital as her family could not afford to pay her medical bills.
The family are now stuck with an $18,000 medical bill while they continue to care for her at their state home, despite being unable to pay for doctors or drugs for Vito.
"We're struggling so much, it's not funny," says Vito's daughter-in-law, Jackie Borell.
Vito's children, here on visitors permits that do not allow them to attend school, have become the daytime caregivers of their paralysed mother.
On top of this, Vito lost her home in Samoa due to the recent tsunami in the Pacific country.
With eight people living in a three-bedroom state house, Housing New Zealand told the family that Vito and her two children would have to move out.
However, Housing New Zealand has told ONE News it is concerned for the family and will resolve the situation without kicking anyone out.
The North Shore Pasefika Forum has opened an account for the family's appeal.
The details are as follows: ASB Bank Account "Faafoi Vito Appeal" 12-3072-0714217-02
