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Former All Blacks winger Joeli Vidiri is being chased by immigration officials for almost $1000. Problems arose after he agreed to sponsor a relative who was later deported.
The Fijian flyer, whose career was halted by kidney disease, has been ordered to pay $999 to cover the cost of removing Lewalvalu Nacama, 25.
"The person I sponsored... something happened and she got deported back," Vidiri said.
"She wanted to work and study, and support the family back home."
Vidiri said he was embarrassed by the situation, but neither he nor the Department of Labour, which runs the Immigration Service, would say why Nacama was deported. Vidiri spoke to his financial adviser last week to discuss settling the bill.
The Department of Labour said it was common practice for sponsors to be liable for such costs. "Persons who do not have a sponsor are required to repay their removal costs before given a further visa to return to New Zealand," spokeswoman Simone Olsen said.
