Peron to appeal immigration service decision

The Immigration Service is cancelling the visa of Auckland bookshop owner Jim Peron - who is accused of promoting sexual relations between men and boys.

The United States immigrant, who owns the Aristotle bookshop in Symonds St, is now stranded in Germany. He cannot re-enter New Zealand, where he has lived on a business visa since 2001, because he has failed the Immigration Service's "character requirements".

Mr Peron has been at the centre of allegations from New Zealand First leader Winston Peters that he has links to the North America Man Boy Love Association and that he published and edited a 1980s bulletin called Unbound which contained articles promoting men and boys having sex.

Mr Peters sent a copy of the bulletin to the office of the Chief Censor, who in May classified the magazine as objectionable.

After the censor's ruling, Immigration Minister Paul Swain asked the Department of Labour to further look into Mr Peron's case.

The department decided Mr Peron did not meet the character requirements and began the process of revoking his visa.

On the Immigration Service website it says character requirements are to protect the wellbeing and security of New Zealanders.

When Mr Peters first made the allegations in March he was accused of abusing parliamentary privilege, but yesterday he said that action had been justified.

"Many people, including those in the media, took the chance to try and label me irresponsible for the way I handled this case.

"However, the Immigration Service have vindicated my claim that Mr Peron is not the type of person we want living in New Zealand."

Mr Peron could not be reached by the Herald yesterday, but his lawyer, John McKay, said that he would be appealing the Immigration Service's decision. "He [Peron] can only hope that political agendas will not prejudice his right to have his position considered on its true merits."

Mr Peron has until July 18 to argue his case before a final decision is made on the visa cancellation.

Labour Department deputy secretary Mary Anne Thompson said Mr Peron would not be able to travel to New Zealand until July 19 because his visa was subject to the cancellation process.

Prospective migrants to NZ:

* Must not ever have been convicted and sentenced to a prison term of five years or more.
* Must not have been convicted and sentenced to 12 months or more in prison in past 10 years.
* Must not have ever been deported from New Zealand or any other country.
* Must not be believed to have associated with criminal or terrorist groups or be a danger to New Zealand.
* Must not be or have ever been involved in activities, or have been associated with any group whose activities are deemed to pose a risk to New Zealand's international reputation.