14 Apr 2025

Family declined NZ residency, son's needs considered 'burden'

From Checkpoint, 5:08 pm on 14 April 2025

A South African family has been declined residency because their son's considered a burden on New Zealand's health and special education system. Joshua Meets, whose family has lived in New Zealand for nearly 5 years, has a complex seizure disorder, developmental delay and is non-verbal - meaning he requires round-the-clock care. That's meant the family's residency application has been declined, despite the Immigration and Protection Tribunal saying it would be in Joshua's best interests for him to remain here. Luka Forman has the story.