Mother of visa limbo boy: We didn't come to NZ for free healthcare

The Mahon family, from left: Andreas Mahon, Liam Mahon, 3, Nolan Mahon, 1, and Jo-Lene Mahon. Photo / Jason Oxenham

The mother of a sick boy, whose visa to remain with the family is in limbo, says they did not return to New Zealand for free health care.

Jo-Lene Mahon, 33, holds a permanent resident visa and is married to German-born Andreas Mahon, 32, a New Zealand citizen by descent because his father is a New Zealander.

Their plan to return to New Zealand to raise their family after living three years overseas hit a road block after Immigration New Zealand granted permanent residency to only one of their two young sons.

Their older son, three-year-old Liam, was diagnosed with Williams syndrome, a non-hereditary genetic condition, and Immigration NZ thinks he may be a burden on the health system.

Liam was born in Malaysia, but the family had been in Germany for the last two and a half years where her second son Nolan, 1, was born.

"We didn't come here for the free health care because we already had that in Germany, where in fact it's a better health care," said Mrs Mahon.

"We made the decision to come to New Zealand because it is our home, or we thought of it as our home and we love it here."

Mr Mahon, who also holds German citizenship, has been a New Zealand citizen since birth after his father applied for it.

He first moved to New Zealand in 2004, but returned to Germany to work in 2012, and had always intended to return here.

Liam does not qualify for New Zealand citizenship because Mr Mahon became a citizen by descent, and this cannot be passed on to his children.

He has been issued an interim visa while his case is being considered.

Immigration New Zealand Area Manager Michael Carley said: "If INZ is not initially satisfied that an applicant has an acceptable standard of health, we must refer the matter for assessment to an independent medical assessor for their opinion.

"People not in good health may be granted a medical waiver if the person meets all the other requirements for approval of their application."

Mr and Mrs Mahon met in Auckland in early 2007 when she was working as a writer on a working visa and him as a design engineer and got married on Waiheke Island at the end of 2008.

They have thought of NZ as their home ever since, but being an expat family meant they've moved back to both countries of their birth to spend time with their families.