Student escapes being deported

By LIBBY MIDDLEBROOK

A 17-year-old student has escaped a traffic conviction because that would have seen him deported home to China.

Rui Fang pleaded guilty in the Waitakere District Court yesterday to a charge of driving without a licence.

Judge Chris Field made the unusual move of discharging the youth without conviction, as a record would lead to the Immigration Service revoking his student permit and sending him home.

This week the Herald reported a growing problem, where international students buy cars and drive without licences or experience.

Lawyer Jack Cheng said the Immigration Service intended to send Fang, an English language student from Shanghai, home if found guilty.

Fang had previously been given police warnings about driving without a licence, as well as having his car impounded, before appearing in court.

Mr Cheng said the boy was "sorry" and had gained a learner driver's licence from New Zealand since being caught by police on June 23.

He had also made a fresh start with a new host family and was likely to enrol in a new school.

Fang had been learning English at Massey High School.

"I think the school has made it clear that it no longer wants this particular student for various reasons."

Fang, who plans to eventually complete a Bachelor of Commerce, was fined $100.

An Immigration Service spokesperson said the organisation would take no action following the outcome of yesterday's court hearing.

Asian Crime Squad police Detective Sergeant George Koria, who was not involved in Fang's case, said he wanted to see changes to Land Transport Safety Authority rules, which allow foreign students to drive in New Zealand for the first year of their stay if they hold a licence from their home country.

"It means that people can come over here and drive, regardless of whether they have any experience or know anything about our road code."

Detective Sergeant Koria said there was also a major problem with foreign students driving in New Zealand without any licence. Young wealthy students seemed to favour fast, powerful cars, which could increase their likelihood of having an accident.

"You could pretty much guarantee if you see an Asian student driving a vehicle, there's a high possibility they won't have a licence," he said.

The Government is considering publishing a code of practice, relating to the care of international students, to help organisations better manage foreign students living in New Zealand.

Asia 2000 Foundation executive director Tim Groser said the code was long overdue.

The number of international students in New Zealand had grown at a high rate and there needed to be strategies in place to ensure the future of the market, and that student needs were being met.

"This problem of kids buying expensive cars without licences is just a manifestation of an underlying problem."

The code, being proposed as part of the Education Amendment Bill, could cover issues such as student recruitment and student welfare.