Fans of The Block's star builder are rallying to keep him in the country.
Martin Laidlaw has been barred from the television show's Sandringham building site and is facing deportation after his visa renewal was denied by Immigration New Zealand.
The Scottish-born builder became a popular face on the show last year after contestants Maree and James hired him to work on their renovation.
This year, he returned to the site, working alongside Auckland couple Jamie and Hayden.
He was not allowed to see out the final week of filming or complete work he started as he and his partner are now classed as illegal immigrants.
Qualified Building Solutions (QBS), who employed Laidlaw for two years, launched a petition on Facebook late last night to stop him from being deported.
The petition has 2,349 signatures so far.
Fans have also spoken out in support of Laidlaw on Twitter where the hashtag #savemartinthescottishbuilder is gathering steam.
Laidlaw has since sent a request to Immigration New Zealand asking them to reconsider their decision.
- nzherald.co.nz