Rise in use of false passports

More foreigners are making it to New Zealand with forged passports, despite pre-flight passenger screening overseas.

Since 2004, more than 170 people had entered the country with falsified documents. Fifty-five of them were charged and deported, and 118 were allowed to stay to seek asylum.

Ten people have been refused entry after being caught at the border with false passports. Last year, 25 were caught and deported, and in 2004, 20 were identified and sent away. Almost half were Chinese travelling on South Korean or Hong Kong passports.