Rejected South African says even All Blacks would fail immigration criteria.
A chef deemed "too fat" for New Zealand has launched a fresh appeal to stay in the country, claiming that star All Blacks would also fail tough immigration obesity rules.
South African immigrant Albert Buitenhuis, 52, faces deportation for being clinically obese.
The 130kg chef and wife Marthie, 49, emigratedto Christchurch from Pretoria in 2007.
Mr Buitenhuis quickly got full-time work at a local restaurant - but Immigration New Zealand (INZ) rejected his 2011 bid for permanent residency.
Officials said his obesity - coupled with a pre-existing knee injury - could put too much of a strain on the domestic health system.
"INZ's medical assessors have to consider to what extent there might be indications of future high-cost and high-need demand for health services," the department said at the time.
Richie McCaw 30.6. BMI above 30 is considered 'obese'. Above 35 exceeds immigration NZ criteria.
INZ criteria decrees that an applicant's body mass index, or BMI - a calculation of height versus weight - must be under 35.
Mr Buitenhuis' BMI is 40, which classifies him as clinically obese.
But a number of All Blacks in the 2015 Rugby World Cup squad would be considered obese or overweight, according to their BMI readings.
Giant prop Charlie Faumuina, who is 1.84m tall and weighs 127kg, has a BMI of 37.51, which categorises him as obese and at "very high" risk of obesity-related diseases, according to the New Zealand Heart Foundation.
Fellow front-rower Tony Woodcock, also 1.84m tall and weighing 120kg, is also deemed obese, with a BMI of 35.44.
By those readings, both professional sportsmen would fail INZ's immigration criteria.
Many other rugby superstars, including super-fit All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, would officially be classed as "obese" - even though his BMI reading of 30.60 means he would pass immigration standards.
Mr Buitenhuis launched a costly appeal against INZ's original visa rejection. In September 2013, he was granted a 23-month reprieve to stay in the country. But that work visa expired last month.
Since then, Mr Buitenhuis has filed a new work visa application, with supporting medical reports that states there is a 4 per cent risk of suffering a heart attack in the next five years.
Charlie Faumuina 37.51. BMI above 30 is considered 'obese'. Above 35 exceeds immigration NZ criteria.
"You get fat people who are actually very healthy, and I am one of them," said Mr Buitenhuis, who is living and working in the South Canterbury town of Geraldine.
"My BMI is still high but I'm a big boy and I can't change that. Even some of the All Blacks wouldn't pass Immigration's BMI test. It's ridiculous."
INZ area manager Michael Carley confirmed the agency was considering his application.
