Boss backs South African family facing expulsion

Gavin Penfold is threatened with deportation after failing to notify authorities of a change in workplace. Picture / Richard Robinson

A South African man who faces being removed from the country for failing to update paperwork on his work visa is being backed by his employer.

Gavin Penfold belatedly notified immigration authorities when he moved jobs from Whangarei to Auckland. 

The delay resulted in his work permit being revoked, his residency application rejected and his family labelled overstayers.

The vast majority of readers emailing the Herald today have backed Mr Penfold and say the Department of Labour decision is a case of senseless bureaucracy.

His employer at an Auckland car dealership agreed. Ian Gibson called on the immigration minister to step in and overrule what was a technical error.

Mr Gibson said: "From a New Zealand employer's point of view, we pay our taxes, we vote, we must have some rights, we must be able to say, 'Please, we need this guy. He's adding value to the business. The business will actually suffer because he's not here'."

He accepted Mr Penfold had made a mistake but said removing him would be "crazy".

One Herald reader, Peter Giblin, added: "The Penfolds should be allowed to stay, mistakes happen. They are here to make a new start in life and shouldn't be sent back.

"The agency they came out through may not have explained the finer details off their visa."

Graham Baker at Workforce - a branch of the Department of Labour - said yesterday the permit variation request was received about 10 months after the Penfolds moved to Auckland.

That was too long as the permit only allowed him to work at the Whangarei dealership.

Mr Baker said the Penfolds should return to South Africa, then reapply to enter New Zealand.

- NEWSTALK ZB, HERALD STAFF