A Poverty Bay rugby player recently found to be overstaying his visa from Tonga has been given further time to voluntarily leave the country.
Vili Savaki, 27, who has played for Poverty Bay in the Heartland Championship, was to have left New Zealand by now. He has been in the country illegally for almost a year.
However, counsel Alistair Clarke told a judge in Gisborne District Court that Savaki was having trouble raising enough funds to get home.
He could probably do so within a fortnight.
Ministry of Immigration counsel Josh Lucas said a further reprieve was not opposed.
Savaki had been compliant with his release conditions.