Waterfall family petitions to reunite with dad in NZ
The mother and daughter were turned away at the check-in for their flight to New Zealand due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
A WATERFALL family, now living out of suitcases at a guesthouse in Durban, are desperate to be reunited with their family in New Zealand.
They have, in partnership with other families, launched a petition that calls on that country’s government to allow them entry.
Vanessa Welsh said she was due to travel to New Zealand with her daughter, Luca, on 21 March but they were turned away at the check-in for their flight due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The virus has claimed the lives of more than 550 000 people worldwide and more than 3 600 people in South Africa.
New Zealand moved to Alert Level 4 of its nationwide lockdown on 25 March. On 8 June, the country lifted all of its restrictions, except border controls.
The New Zealand Ministry of Health reported on 9 July that there were three new Covid-19 cases in managed isolation facilities.
Immigration New Zealand confirmed that Vanessa Welsh was approved for a temporary visa, on the basis of being a partner of a temporary work visa holder, on 24 February 2020.
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“My partner, Luca’s father, has been in New Zealand since September 2019. We’ve submitted numerous requests to be given an exception to travel and have been denied more than 20 times,” said a desperate Vanessa.
The general manager of Border and Visa Operations at INZ, Nicola Hogg, said Welsh has made multiple requests for a border exception since 24 May 2020, under the ‘humanitarian’ and ‘partner and dependent children of a work or student visa holder who is in New Zealand’ exception criteria, however none have been granted.
“Ms Welsh is currently living in her home country, along with her daughter. Based on the information provided, Ms Welsh’s circumstances do not meet the high threshold for humanitarian consideration.
“As Ms Welsh has never previously travelled to New Zealand, she is not considered to be ordinarily resident in New Zealand and therefore she also does not meet the criteria to be granted an exception as a partner of a work or student visa holder,” said Hogg.
She said the only possessions they own are the two suitcases between them and the paperwork needed to travel.
Vanessa and Luca have taken up residence in a local guest house since February as they do not have friends or family who can accommodate them and their two dogs, which will fly with them to New Zealand.
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“Our personal belongings will arrive in New Zealand on 16 July and this includes our winter clothing!” said the mom. “I am unemployed and have been for three years already. My partner is trying to financially support two households with great difficulty. Luca is no longer in school and we are absolutely reliant on the guest house for everything, from towels to kitchenware.”
The last photo of the family together was taken at the King Shaka International Airport, more than 10 months ago.
“We would have joined him sooner, but it took me about five months to get my birth certificate from Home Affairs and it was needed for our visa application,” said Vanessa.
“The border is New Zealand’s best protection in our fight against Covid-19, which is why the border remains closed to all but New Zealand citizens and residents. Protecting public health in New Zealand is paramount.
“The bar for being granted an exception to the border restrictions is set high to help stop the spread of Covid-19 and protect the health of people already in New Zealand. Individual’s requests for exceptions to the border restrictions are considered against the strict criteria as set out in immigration instructions,” said Hogg.
At the time of going to print, more than 1 950 people have signed the petition.
You can sign the petition HERE.
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