Overstayer sent home despite connections

A Tongan overstayer has been sent home, despite a last ditch attempt by Rotorua authorities to stop the deportation.

Siegfried Fisiihoi has been in custody since his overstayer status was revealed when he was arrested for breaching a liquor ban.

The 23-year-old has a two-year-old son with the niece of Rotorua's Deputy Mayor Trevor Maxwell.

Mr Maxwell says the family is disappointed about the deportation and his niece is now considering moving to Tonga with her son.

Mr Maxwell thanks local MP Todd McClay in helping the family to try to get the Immigration Minister to review the case.

- NEWSTALK ZB