Andrew McLean (inset) spent four months stuck in immigration limbo in Bali after local police delayed his deportation to investigate a domestic assault complaint. Photo / Getty Images
Andrew McLean (inset) spent four months stuck in immigration limbo in Bali after local police delayed his deportation to investigate a domestic assault complaint. Photo / Getty Images
A Kiwi expat convicted of assault in Indonesia has returned to New Zealand after being held in an immigration detention centre for four months, ending a prolonged ordeal his lawyers described as legally “murky”.
Andrew McLean, 44, arrived back in New Zealand from Bali on January 31, following a finalcourt ruling that allowed the island’s immigration authorities to proceed with his deportation.
McLean had been detained at a Denpasar immigration centre since September 2025 after immigration officials revoked his Limited Stay Permit (ITAS), a move spurred by a domestic complaint his former partner laid.
He was ultimately convicted of minor assault against his ex-partner in the Denpasar District Court on January 28, allowing immigration authorities to proceed with his deportation.
LawAid International head Craig Tuck said the complaint came amid what he described as a property dispute between the former couple.
“Mr McLean owns property in Bali and travels regularly ... As is the way for so many in Bali, property can be a significant issue with local lawyers and police working together,” he told the Herald.
Andrew McLean spent four months in an Bali immigration centre after local police delayed his deportation to investigate a complaint from his ex-partner. Photo / Getty Images
McLean was initially placed into immigration custody for deportation, but the process was halted by police in November, who requested immigration authorities delayed his removal while they made further inquiries into the complaint.
McLean remained in immigration detention without a formal charge for much of that time, leaving him in “a very murky” legal predicament, Tuck said.
Tuck and LawAid’s Jakarta-based lawyer Max Widi flew to Bali to bring forward a resolution to the case, raising ethical concerns regarding McLean’s bipolar diagnosis and his need for ongoing medical treatment.
Tuck said mental health considerations were known to the Indonesian authorities, although cultural interpretations of behaviours are nuanced and can differ.
Despite McLean’s conviction, his lawyers are continuing to argue that McLean’s months-long detainment had no legal basis.
“The police intervened, without jurisdiction, and stopped the deportation process to carry on investigating the matter,” Tuck said.
Andrew McLean, pictured in Denpasar District Court last week. His lawyers, highlighting the lack of legal clarity and McLean's need for ongoing medical treatment, have argued his prolonged detention was unlawful.
“Nothing whatsoever was happening to progress this matter and the police wanted money to ’speed up’ resolution and the court process.”
Tuck argued the delays reflected a breakdown between police and immigration processes.
“What police and immigration say can be quite different to what is actually happening. This matter has now been recommended to go to Internal Affairs in Jakarta where they have a corruption investigation unit.”
“MFAT engagement with LawAid International was exceptional - their deep knowledge and practical support was invaluable. They are an incredible team of professionals to help NZ nationals.
“We work all over the world and MFAT are a shining example of how good government departments can be.”
Tuck said McLean’s experience illustrates the added susceptibility of foreigners facing the local justice system.
“Bali, The Island of the Gods, can be heaven and hell ... It’s all very good, until it’s not,” he said.
“It is a culture where respect gets respect. However, all long-term visitors and residents know there is an ‘underbelly’ and it’s best to avoid that at all costs.”
Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
