Supporters of overstayers ejected from Parliament

Extra security was present in parliament yesterday as supporters of New Zealand-born Indians were ejected from the House for protesting.

The group, supporting Kamna Chumber, 7, and her brother Keshav, 6, were in the public gallery during question time yesterday when they opened banners asking for their parents to be allowed to stay in New Zealand.

They were kicked out of the House and parliament grounds.

The children's parents are overstayers and have been received deportation orders, and their supporters want the Government to allow the parents to stay in the country and keep the children from being orphaned.

Family supporter Margaret Marshall-Dugh said the children would have to live in terrible conditions if they returned to India.

"They're New Zealand children, they want to stay in New Zealand, and they want their parents to care for them. They have to protect these children."

She said there were hundreds of similar cases where families were being broken up.

Kamna said she and her brother wanted to stay in New Zealand.

"We're Kiwi kids and New Zealand is the best place."

Family friend Kamal Sunder said the Prime Minister should let the family stay in New Zealand.

"He has a responsibility to look after New Zealand citizens. Does he want them to be left here as orphans or taken back to the slums in India?"

The Diplomatic Protection Squad was keeping a tight grip on Prime Minister John Key yesterday, and a uniformed policeman carrying a holster - which was empty - was also at Parliament for extra protection.

He was in the public gallery when the protesters made their statement.

Mr Key said he could not comment on whether he had received immediate threats to his safety.