Source: Radio New Zealand
Supplied
Immigration New Zealand says it is trying to contact nearly a dozen cultural performers from India who are believed to have remained in the country after their visas expired.
The performers travelled to New Zealand last month as part of a group accompanying Bollywood singer Shibani Kashyap for Holi celebrations around the country.
Jeannie Melville, deputy chief operating officer at Immigration New Zealand, said the agency assessed visa applications for a group of 27 Indian nationals travelling under the banner “Community Holi Celebration with Shibani Kashyap”.
“The Indian Consulate in Auckland was the point of contact for the group,” Melville said.
“INZ verified that the event was genuine, including consultation with the Indian Consul General in Auckland who confirmed they were supporting the event,” she said.
“A robust and fair assessment process was applied to the individuals making up this group, including collaboration with our Risk and Verification teams in India.”
Eighteen people from the group arrived in New Zealand. Of those, three have since left the country and 15 remained in the country, according to Immigration New Zealand.
“Four hold valid visitor visas,” Melville said.
Melville said seven applications were initially approved while four were declined due to concerns, including suspected fraudulent documents.
Immigration New Zealand later approved 13 short-term limited visas for the specific purpose of attending the event.
The agency said it had been in contact with the Indian High Commission about the situation and was prioritising efforts to contact those who may now be in the country unlawfully on a case-by-case basis.
The group travelled from India to perform at Holi events around the country, including one held in Pukekohe in February.
Kashyap also visited New Zealand last year and performed at Independence Day events organised by Delhi-based CD Foundation.
Melville said Immigration New Zealand was not aware of similar past cases involving cultural performers from India overstaying their visas, though she noted the agency’s reporting did not record that level of detail.
RNZ has approached the Indian High Commission and the Indian Consulate for comment.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
