Anger at ‘easy ticket’ into NZ for crim
A couple battling to remain in New Zealand say they are outraged at the decision to grant residency to a jailed drug-dealer.
Steve Campbell and his partner Chiching Tong, from Hong Kong, have been trying for several months to secure permanent residency for Tong.
Their most recent application was declined because Campbell had reached the limit of sponsoring two residency applications – a previous one by Tong, and one by his ex-wife.
Campbell said yesterday LeesGalloway’s decision to grant Sroubek permanent residency ‘‘disgusts me beyond belief’’.
‘‘I just feel upset that somebody with a conviction, who’s currently in jail, can get what appears to be an easy bus ticket into New Zealand, whereas people like us are trying to do things honestly, and we get taken down at any opportunity, without being shown any compassion or leniency whatsoever.’’
Tong had previously had permanent residency for three years, Campbell said. However, in June it was cancelled after Tong legally changed her name.
The couple was forced to sell their small business in Milford, Auckland, and Tong had returned to Hong Kong.
‘‘We’ve lived together for seven years, we’re very much in love, and the only way to see her now is to travel to Hong Kong.’’
The couple would now appeal to the Immigration Protection Tribunal at a cost of thousands of dollars. ‘‘Give decent people a chance who are worthy and deserving – not convicted criminals like this,’’ Campbell said.