By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania
WELLINGTON, New Zealand – New Zealand immigration officials have warned Pacific Islanders that they may be the targets of a possible immigration scam.
Both Immigration New Zealand and the Ministry of the Pacific Island Affairs have advised Pacific people not to travel to Waitangi in order to gain New Zealand citizenship.
The immigration scam, according to the New Zealand Labour Department, promotes citizenship and residency to individuals who are unable to gain permanent status, also known as overstayers.
Overstayers are being promised citizenship if the Maori tribe (or hapu) adopts them.
It is expected that many overstayers will travel to Waitangi because they were told that in exchange for $1,000 they would be able to gain citizenship from Ngapuhi elder by being adopted into the hapu.
A Ngapuhi elder claims that Pacific peoples will be welcomed but there are no plans to grant them citizenship.
Earlier this week, One News broke the news of this alleged immigration scam.
Former Maori vice-president of the National Party, Rahiri Dargaville, labeled the Ngapuhi elder’s comments as ‘misleading’ and that there was no intention to grant Pacific people citizenship.
Mr. Dargaville further stated that “[p]olarizing such issues using the media is not in keeping with Ngapuhi customs and traditions”.
The Immigration department requested those who may have been subjected to the scam to be report it to the police.
In assessing the accuracy of information presented to Pacific people, the chief executive of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, Dr. Colin Tukuitonga, advised these individuals that its probably a scam if it sounds too good to be true. “Only Immigration NZ or people licensed by them are able to issue permits. Don’t give your money to a fraudster.”
In order to remain in New Zealand, Immigration NZ has the sole responsibility for the authorization of the visas.
Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman stated that “[a]doption into a hapu will not legally confer citizenship or residency upon anyone.”
Pacific people should be aware that individuals authorized to give advice on immigration in New Zealand must hold a license or be exempt from the license requirement under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act.
For more information please see:
Fiji Times Online – Warning over NZ immigration scam – 04 February 2010
New Zealand Herald – No plans to ‘adopt’ Tongan overstayers – Ngapuhi elder – 03 February 2010
Radio New Zealand – Overstayers told citizenship not available at Waitangi – 03 February 2010
TVNZ – Tongan overstayers warned over immigration scam – 03 February 2010
