Jo Raphael: Migrants stuck in limbo need answers

Covid-19 and border closures mean Priya Fernandes has been apart from her husband for almost two years. Photo / Andrew Warner

OPINION
It's a brave decision to uproot your family and head into an unknown future.

Thousands of migrants make that decision and each have their own reasons.

Some are escaping religious or racial persecution, we may provide better job opportunities, others see New Zealand as a sort of utopian society compared to their own countries, and some just want to provide a better life for their children.

Whatever their reasons, I believe migrants add a colourful vibrancy to our society that makes us uniquely New Zealand.

I made that decision myself in my early 20s. I moved to Australia under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement which allows citizens of New Zealand and Australia to enter, live and work in each other's countries without going through residency and visa processes.

While I didn't have to jump through the hoops that some migrants do, it was a big, scary step, so I sympathise with those who made the decision to move to another country.

This week we spoke to several migrant families who are suffering from being split from their loved ones, and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.

One Bay of Plenty man has not seen his wife and two small sons for more than 500 days.

"I am missing all those special moments that I don't want to miss," South African Quintin Boshoff said.

"It's just getting harder and harder."

Boshoff's wife and two boys are stuck in South Africa, they were planning on following him – then Covid-19 hit.

"I understand why they put everything on hold and I respect what they did for New Zealand, but the uncertainty is the worst thing because we don't know what is going to happen."

I imagine the not knowing, or having a definitive answer, is the worst thing – the rest of the heartbreak could be dealt with if only these people had the information they needed to move forward.

Rotorua woman Priya Fernandes, who is facing a lonely 30th wedding anniversary with her husband stuck in India, feels the same way.

"It is this limbo, this ambiguity that is not allowing me to make a decision. It hurts that I don't know when it will happen for me."

I know the Government is doing its best while slings and arrows are flying from every direction - however, let's get them out of limbo.

These people, in the very least, deserve our compassion, and answers from the Government.