Tuvaluan overstayer's wife rules out reconciliation

Senee Niusila

A woman beaten by her Tuvaluan overstayer husband today contradicted statements by the man's lawyer that the couple could get back together.

In Waitakere District Court yesterday Judge Phil Recordon gave Senee Niusila, who needs kidney dialysis to survive, a second and final chance.

Niusila asked an Auckland court for the second time not to convict him for beating his wife and was given a discharge without conviction for threatening to kill his wife Teremoana Niusila and assaulting her earlier this year.

Last year, Niusila was convicted and discharged on similar charges for similar reasons after beating his wife.

Yesterday, his lawyer Nicholas Wintour told the court that doctors were clear that if Niusila was sent home he would certainly die.

Niusila had been to an anger management course and although he had separated from his wife there was a good chance they would get back together, he said.

But on National Radio today Mrs Niusila, who has moved into hiding with her children, ruled out any possibility of the couple being reconciled.

"I've moved on and I want him to move on too," she said. "I'm loving my new life."

Mrs Niusila said she did not believe her husband would change, even if he attended anger management courses.

She had last seen him on November 5 and had been worried about her safety then, although Niusila had not harmed her since the latest charges were laid.

"He doesn't know where I am," Mrs Niusila said.

She had been worried about the risks to her husband if he were sent home because no treatment was available on Tuvalu.

She had hoped he could stay in this country for dialysis.

Mrs Niusila said her children were "good now" and had settled into a new school. She was taking things "day by day".

"There's still that fear in me that Senee's not convicted -- like walking my children to school this morning I had to keep a look out who's going to see me on the road," she said.

She had supported her husband when he appeared in court the first time. After that she had told him that he had the opportunity to stay in this country and she wanted him to change.

"He never did. I'm not going to support him anymore," Mrs Niusila said.

- NZPA