Residency battler dies after illness

Kapiro Garage owner Martyn Payne (second left) celebrating being granted New Zealand residency in 2013 with son James, supporters Carol Drake, Sarah Leitch and Hazel Kaiawe. PICTURE/PETER DE GRAAF

A Far North man who fought 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 Payne and daughter Nicola George.

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.

Mr Payne said 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.

That support had included a man who drove up from Whangarei just to shake Mr Payne's hand, a Givealittle fundraising campaign, and six offers of marriage from Kiwis wanting to help him stay.

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

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

Daughter Nicola George, who lives in Kerikeri, said he wanted her father's ashes to be scattered in New Zealand, the place he came to regard as his home.

"He was always overwhelmed by the support he received."