KEY POINTS:
A Samoan man convicted of indecently assaulting a 12-year-old girl is being allowed to stay in New Zealand.
The Deportation Review Tribunal has overturned a deportation order against William Savali, 26, after being told his victim would be stigmatised in her home village in Samoa if she visited there and his offending became known.
Relatives told the tribunal that villagers may blame the victim, thinking her promiscuous, making it impossible for her to return on holiday.
Savali, a rugby player and carwash attendant, was convicted in 2005 of three charges of indecent assault and jailed for 16 months.
He became a father a year after his conviction.
His partner told the hearing she and their daughter would not join him if he was returned to Samoa.
- NZPA
