The New Zealand Immigration service has granted residence permits to a Tongan family that has been unable to live legally for nearly thirty years.
Sione Misa Fifita, his partner Melise Lausi’i, and their son Johnboy Lausi’i can now fully enjoy their lives after INZ made the decision on Monday.
“Your application for a New Zealand Residence Visa has been approved – IPT Order has been approved”, read an Immigration document purported to be sent to Mr Fifita, seen by Kaniva News.
Fifita has been residing in the country without legal documentation for 28 years, while his partner has been in a similar situation for 10 years.
“This is a very happy day for my family”, Fifita said.
He said he had no hope of legally staying in the country or obtaining a visa.
Koli Vanisi and his firm, Pacific Immigration Consultancy & Services Ltd (PICSL), represented the family.
Vanisi and his company attempted last year, and the approval was their most recent successful attempt.
Vanisi and PICSL have been helping the Tongan community in New Zealand with their immigration applications for decades.
As Kaniva News reported previously, a Tongan family who had been unlawfully in New Zealand for about 20 years had escaped deportation.
Vaea Tangitau Veatupu arrived in New Zealand in November 2002.
His wife Seini Veatupu was already here before him since August 1997.
They have four children and the eldest held New Zealand citizenship while the couple and their three other children overstayed their visa.
Immigration New Zealand finally approved their residency in 2022 following the application submitted by PICSL.
If you have any immigration needs in New Zealand, you can contact Vanisi and his consultancy.
