Nepalese family's plight will be taken to immigration minister

1.00pm

Palmerston North MP Steve Maharey will go into bat for a Nepalese family who want to stay in New Zealand to tend their sick baby.

The Sharmas have been living in Palmerston North for the past two years and want to stay to care for their seven-month-old son Pranav, who was born with life-threatening congenital abnormalities.

Pranav's father Shyam Sharma recently completed a two-year masters degree in veterinary science at Massey University.

He was studying on a New Zealand Aid Scholarship which means Kiwi taxpayers footed the bill for his education at the request of the Nepalese Government.

Terms of the scholarship mean students must return to their country of origin and put their skills to use.

A bitter Mr Sharma left for Nepal earlier this week to comply with the terms of his contract leaving his wife, sick baby and eight-year-old daughter in the home of local nurse Val McCullough.

Mr Maharey said he was happy to present the case to Immigration Minister Paul Swain, as Pranav is a New Zealand citizen although his parents are not.

"It seems there is enormous support for the family but the next step is to get the issue on desk of the minister of immigration," Mr Maharey said.

Pranav , who has been close to death four times so far in his seven-month life was too ill to travel to Nepal with his father and the family fear that he will die if he has to return to Nepal, due to the poor medical facilities there.

The Immigration Service has extended visa permits to Bandana Sharma Poudyal and her oldest child until the end of the month but unless Mr Swain intervenes they will be forced to return home.

It is understood that the terms of the scholarship agreement are unlikely to be altered.

Mr Maharey said Mr Sharma had been waging a "long-standing case" to remain in New Zealand and therefore skirt the terms of his aid agreement.

"The reason you get to come here is because the Government wants you back. If they don't go home the aid doesn't work really."

Massey University will today pay Mr Sharma's family a $500 grant for living expenses.