HERE TO STAY: Wanganui pastor Iliesa Tamaniyaga has been granted residency after an appeal. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 130315WCSMPASTOR1
It has been an anxious summer for Iliesa Tamaniyaga.
But last week the Wanganui pastor from Fiji received the news he had been hoping for - he was granted New Zealand residency.
Last October the Chronicle reported Mr Tamaniyaga was facing having to return to his native Fiji within 30 days. A residency application had been declined due to a health condition.
Mr Tamaniyaga came to Wanganui in 2004 and has remained here on work visas. Two of his six children have been born in New Zealand.
But he has developed serious health problems with his kidney, which is now only working at 10 per cent.
And because his residency had been declined he was not able to get the medical help he needed, including dialysis.
Mr Tamaniyaga appealed the decision and was able to remain in New Zealand over the summer on a grace period while the appeal was considered.
Wanganui man Kevin Hall, who attends Wanganui Christian Outreach Centre where Mr Tamaniyaga is a senior pastor, was one of his main supporters. He drove to Wellington and back getting people to sign his car in support. He also presented a petition to Minister for Immigration Michael Woodhouse last November.