Czech overstayer absconds

An overstayer is on the run in Northland after an early morning swoop on a Kerikeri backpacker lodge by police and immigration services on Thursday.

Six people - five Brazilians and a Czech - were taken into custody.

Police said a seventh man, also believed to be a Czech, ran off but Immigration knew his identity and would follow up on him.

The overstayers, aged in their 30s and 40s, all appeared to have been working in orchards and landscaping jobs. One was believed to have been in the country illegally for two years.

Although their employers were liable for prosecution for employing illegal workers, police said no charges were pending. Immigration spokeswoman Kathryn O'Sullivan said the group would be kept in custody until their deportation.

Andrew Harty, citrus manager for Kerifresh, said that because of the high seasonal labour demand there was a workforce split of 60 per cent locals and 40 per cent overseas backpackers.

"As long as they sign a declaration saying they are legally allowed to work in New Zealand, we as growers are not obliged to delve too deeply," he said.

If immigrants were unable to sign an employment contract or IRD tax form, growers could not employ them.

- NZPA