Immigration NZ tracks down pregnant tourist

Immigration NZ said it had been unable to contact Jurga Skiauteris to tell her she could stay. Photo / Richard Robinson

Immigration New Zealand has tracked down a heavily pregnant Lithuanian tourist, initially declined a permit to stay in New Zealand.

Jurga Skiauteris, 29, her husband Robertas, 34, and their six-year-old son, Leonardo, arrived in New Zealand in January on three-month visitor permits.

Immigration New Zealand initially rejected appeals for an extended permit to stay here, despite doctors advising any travel could harm Mrs Skiauteris and her unborn child.

The department reviewed the decision and Mrs Skiauteris was yesterday offered a new permit, but was unable to be found to be told.

However, chief executive Andrew Annakin said the department had today been in touch with the family's lawyer, who had indicated it wished to apply for a long-term business visa.

Mr Annakin said the family were yesterday offered limited purpose permits to enable Mrs Skiauteris to remain lawfully in New Zealand during the term of her pregnancy.

The couple had now been offered further visitor permits so they could apply for a long-term business visa after the baby was born.

Mrs Skiauteris said she and her husband had intended to leave New Zealand before the original visitor's permit expired, until the health concerns arose.

"I have a good life back home, I have a family back home," she told TV3.

Mrs Skiauteris said the medical costs for the birth, which would be between $4000 and $7000, were covered by her insurance.

Earlier today, Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman criticised his department's initial decision to decline the permit .

"I believe that declining the permit was a poor decision by the department," Dr Coleman said.

"I am pleased that common sense has prevailed and that the woman has now been issued a permit allowing her to stay in New Zealand."

Supporting Mrs Skiauteris's application to stay, North Shore Hospital antenatal consultant doctor Alex Ivancevic wrote: "Her pregnancy is a high risk ... She is strongly advised bed rest and avoidance of any activity that might potentially provoke pre-term labour."

Mrs Skiauteris was six weeks pregnant when she arrived in January with her husband Robertas, 34, and their 6-year-old son, Leonardo. She has been mostly bed-ridden since complications were found in her pregnancy during a routine check in early March.

"The unexpected change in health conditions means any travel would put my partner and baby in danger," he said in one appeal.

"Doctors at North Shore Hospital say my partner's health would not allow us to travel in any way because it could lead to premature labour and, as a consequence, death of a newborn baby."

The family have insurance cover for medical expenses and hospitalisation for up to €250,000 ($556,000), which covered pregnancy complications up to the 36th week.

Mr Skiauteris, an advertising director, had also told Immigration NZ they had access to enough money to pay for the rest of his wife's maternity care costs.

"It's really frustrating, because we'd be gone on the next plane back to Lithuania - where we can have the support of family and friends - if I can be certain that nothing will happen to my baby," he said.

"The last thing we wanted is to break any law or become overstayers - but what can you do when it's a choice of either that or risk the life of your baby and your wife?"

- NZPA, NZ HERALD STAFF