For stranded Kiwis overseas
allowed in. That will likely be of little help to Masterton woman Sheryn Scanlan’s 81-year-old husband Charles, who is stuck in England, with Immigration New Zealand (INZ) not allowing him to change his visa to allow him to join his family.
Scanlan was upset that the Government seemed to be going to great lengths to allow essential workers into the country, but was happy to continue to keep families split apart.
‘‘It makes me feel very angry because surely people come first.’’
Charles Scanlan, a UK citizen, had plans to join his Kiwi wife and adult daughter in New Zealand in March, but was stopped at Heathrow Airport the day we closed our borders.
Sheryn Scanlan said it was not just a fairness issue, but in her husband’s case, a welfare concern as he was rapidly losing weight and his isolation in coronavirusravaged UK was affecting his mental health.
‘‘They’ve got to be fair across the board. He’s all on his own and I’m really concerned for his health.’’
An INZ spokeswoman said the changes to border exceptions, which were announced on Friday, come into effect the end of this week. Some changes to maritime border rules would come into effect later this month.
Lees-Galloway replied that the ‘‘other essential worker’’ category is focused on those roles that can have a significant economic benefit to New Zealand, where a New Zealander is not available.
‘‘The salary is an indicator of the level of skills required,’’ he said. ‘‘The vast majority of people allowed in on border exceptions are families reuniting, humanitarian and health workers – around 90 per cent at present. These exceptions are not linked to salary.’’