Scottish builder Martin Laidlaw has appeared on two seasons of The Block NZ but is now facing deportation.
Scottish builder Martin Laidlaw has appeared on two seasons of The Block NZ but is now facing deportation.
The Block NZ's star builder has been barred from the television show's Sandringham building site and is facing deportation after his visa renewal was denied by Immigration New Zealand.
Scottish-born Martin Laidlaw became a household name last year after contestants Maree and James hired him to work on their Block renovation. This year, he returned to the site, working alongside Auckland couple Jamie and Hayden.
The Scotsman has been working in New Zealand for two years, employed as a builder by Qualified Building Solutions (QBS).
Yesterday, QBS director Troy Jury spoke out on Facebook, after Immigration New Zealand denied Laidlaw's visa application.
The decision has prevented him from heading back to The Block for the final week of filming.
"This week is the last week before it wraps up and I cannot go back," he told the Herald.
"It is the most important week, you work hard not only for yourself and your boss but the couple - we have all worked so hard, it's horrible they won't let me finish it."
In a statement, Immigration New Zealand said Laidlaw was approved for a one-year visa last year to work as a carpenter.
"The occupation 'Carpenter' is NOT on the Long Term or Immediate skill shortage Lists," the statement said.
According to INZ, he submitted a new application for a work visa this year but the application was declined as his employer did not advertise the role to establish if there were any New Zealanders available to do the job.
"While Mr Laidlaw may be highly valued by his employer, it is still necessary to determine the availability of New Zealanders and evidence of advertising is an important part of ensuring there are no New Zealanders currently available.
"It's also important to note that work visas are temporary visas. Labour market conditions can change from year to year and while an application may be approved one year this does not guarantee that an application will be approved the following year."
INZ area manager Michael Carley said: "Now that his application has been declined Mr Laidlaw is unlawfully in New Zealand and is encouraged to settle his affairs here and leave the country."
The handsome builder, who earned the nickname "the Hot Builder" on site, has been inundated with marriage proposals since news spread yesterday.
"They are hilarious, everyone is so nice," he said. But Laidlaw is in a committed relationship with his Scottish partner, who is also experiencing visa complications.
Neither Laidlaw nor his partner, who lost her bank job, can go back to work, as they are now classed as illegal immigrants.
Their only hope is to submit a request saying they are unhappy with the decision and ask for a second chance to apply. If unsuccessful they will be deported in 41 days.
The couple have been living in New Zealand for two years and say they want to settle here permanently.
Laidlaw's handiwork was showcased during Sunday night's room reveal
They originally planned to extend their working visas and had hoped to become New Zealand citizens.
"I have had a lot of messages from people generally being quite understanding, they can't see why they would send us home when there is a shortage of builders. It's not only a personal thing, it's something that needs to be put right."
Laidlaw's boss openly questioned what was wrong with a system that dictated he fire a loyal, hard-working employee and attempt to hire a Kiwi builder in his position.
The company had already been trying to fill two vacant positions for the past six months with no luck, and now cannot let Laidlaw work.
"He has worked for us for two years, is a foreman for us, trains young Kiwi builders for us, we have clients who have specifically asked for him as project manager and builder so we lose out too," Mr Jury said.
"Mainly, he's a really nice guy outside his role on TV. He's a genuinely nice person and at the end of the day, we have got a housing crisis and there's a shortage of trained builders".
He hoped the public would get behind Laidlaw and wants to start a petition with the aim of keeping him in the country.
The social media hashtag #savemartinthescottishbuilder has been created with several people sharing QBS' post on Facebook.
