An 84-year-old widow who feared deportation to Iran has won her appeal and been granted residence in New Zealand, after a tribunal ruled that sending her back would be unsafe and inhumane.
According to a report by Gill Bonnett of RNZ, the Immigration and Protection Tribunal noted that her only son, a New Zealand citizen, works in a national security role and would face danger if he attempted to return to Iran with her. His dual citizenship and professional ties to Western security projects could see him detained on arrival, the decision said.
The tribunal highlighted that deporting the woman would mean permanent separation from her son and force her into “a chaotic and unpredictable environment,” made worse by escalating conflict in the Middle East. At her age, without family support in Tehran, the risks to her survival were deemed “unmanageable” and potentially “fatal,” Gill Bonnett of RNZ reported.
The woman, a retired nurse, had previously travelled to New Zealand before the pandemic and again in recent years. On her last visit, however, she suffered a severe panic attack before boarding a flight back to Iran. A GP confirmed her extreme fear and anxiety about returning.
Her son, a software engineer, told the tribunal it would be impossible for him to live in Iran, given his clearance for restricted documents in New Zealand and affiliation with Western security projects. Such factors, the tribunal agreed, could be perceived by Iranian authorities as treason.
New Zealand’s official travel advisory currently warns against all travel to Iran, citing risks of civil unrest, arbitrary arrest, and detention, RNZ reported.
When the widow’s visitor visa renewal was declined, she became an overstayer. But the tribunal accepted her case on humanitarian grounds, concluding that deportation would be “unjust or unduly harsh,” RNZ reported.
“The country’s current volatile geopolitical situation makes it wholly unrealistic for the appellant to return,” the decision said, adding that her fragile emotional state and lack of social support would leave her unable to cope if sent back, as quoted by RNZ.
The ruling now secures her future in New Zealand, allowing her to remain with her son after years of uncertainty.
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Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.2% Yes
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46.8% No
Aucklanders, we want to know: How are you feeling about the current property market?
New Zealand homeowners are now more likely to sell at a loss than at any time since 2013, and if you’re in Auckland or Wellington, the odds are even higher.
But there is a silver lining: buyers are still in a strong position when it comes to negotiating prices.
So we’re curious…
How are you feeling about the current property market?
If you’re keen to dive into the details, Deborah Morris breaks down all the latest insights.
‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...
As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.
Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.
There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”
A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105
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