Man who battled residency dies after illness

Martyn Payne, a long-time battler for residency in New Zealand, has passed away after a short illness.

A Northland man at the centre of a high-profile battle to stay in New Zealand has died two years after being granted residency.

English migrant Martyn Payne first came to New Zealand on a business visa in 2005. He bought and revamped Kapiro Auto Services, on State Highway 10 north of Kerikeri, and became part of the community along with his son James and daughter Nicola.

A longstanding heart condition was no barrier to his business visa but when he applied for residency in 2008, Immigration NZ deemed him a medical liability and declined his application. Around that time Mr Payne's immigration consultant closed down without warning so he was late renewing his visa and providing a letter of support from a heart specialist. His imminent deportation sparked a petition, public support from the Motor Trade Association and then Mayor Wayne Brown, plus a high-profile campaign by the former current affairs show Campbell Live.

After several years of to-ing and fro-ing with Immigration NZ he had exhausted every option but one. His final avenue was an appeal to Associate Immigration Minister Nikki Kaye, who granted him residency in September 2013 after a check-up at Kawakawa Hospital revealed an improvement in his heart condition.

Shortly afterwards Mr Payne told the Advocate he had been overwhelmed by the support he had received from around New Zealand.

"I owe them a great debt. Even if I'd been slung out, I'd have fond memories of all the people who've supported me. If it wasn't for the people here I would've given up. I would've left ages ago," he said.

Mr Payne, who was 67, died on November 12 in Whangarei Hospital. He fell ill seven weeks ago with septicaemia, which led to other complications.

His funeral will be held at the Frontline Church on Hone Heke Rd, Kerikeri, at 11am today followed by private cremation and a celebration of his life at his favourite haunt, Rocksalt.

Daughter Nicola George of Kerikeri said he wanted his ashes scattered in New Zealand, the place he came to regard as his home.

"He was always overwhelmed by the support he received. He had so many friends here and people were so supportive of his fight to stay."