Overstaying cricketer sent back to Jamaica

Former West Indian cricketer Franklyn Rose was deported last night to Jamaica. Photo / Janna Dixon

A former West Indies cricketer has been booted out of the country.

Immigration New Zealand confirmed Franklyn Rose, who played 19 test matches for the West Indies between 1997 and 2000, was deported last night to Jamaica.

His legal representative, Ramya Sathiyanathan from McClymont & Associates, sent a last-minute request to suspend the deportation pending consideration of Mr Rose's "humanitarian circumstances", which failed.

She said Mr Rose suffered from depression, which he said was exacerbated by being detained by Immigration New Zealand and held in Mt Eden Prison for the past five weeks.
Ms Sathiyanathan said her client acknowledged he was unlawfully in the country, having been first served the deportation order in 2014.

Mr Rose was originally granted a work visa when he was offered a position as a coach for the University of Auckland's Cricket Club, but he has not had a valid visa since 2012.

Meanwhile, Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse has welcomed data showing the number of overstayers is at the lowest this century.

Latest estimates put the number of overstayers at 10,848 - a decrease of more than 1300 on a 2014 estimate.

Mr Woodhouse claimed improved border security and action to deal with overstayers had paid off.

"Better risk profiling during the visa application process, combined with an increased focus on encouraging overstayers to settle their affairs, pay their own costs for departure and leave New Zealand voluntarily has also contributed to the significant decrease in numbers."