The <i>Herald</i> has made multiple Official Information Act requests since Dotcom was arrested in January 2012. Photo / Brett Phibbs
The <i>Herald</i> has made multiple Official Information Act requests since Dotcom was arrested in January 2012. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman has denied putting pressure on Immigration New Zealand to accept Kim Dotcom's residency application, but will not take questions on the subject.
A spokesman for Mr Coleman said he was on holiday with his family and not available for comment on the release to the NZHerald of OIA papers relating to Dotcom's residency application.
He sent a short statement saying Immigration NZ had already issued a statement that "unequivocally that there was no political pressure regarding Mr Dotcom's residence application".
"The residency decision was made by Immigration New Zealand, not by me as Minister of Immigration."
The released papers stated there was interest from the Minister in Dotcom's application because of the new Investor Category for wealthy migrants, requiring them to invest $10 million in New Zealand. It included a comment from the SIS that there was political pressure on Immigration NZ.
Immigration NZ gave Dotcom residency by way of special direction because his convictions in Germany meant he did not meet the criteria. It decided the convictions were historic enough for the economic benefits to outweigh them.
