ISSUE
Friday, August 22, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 73
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has denied visa to a farm worker’s wife in Otago who can now face deportation back to India.
Chander Harjinder Singh, also known as ‘Harrie’ works as a herd manager at Taieri Dairy in Otago and after working in the kiwifruit industry for a considerable time. Responding to his current boss Mark Adam’s advertisement looking for a dairy-farm worker, Mr Chander started working with Taieri dairy and soon became an integral member of the company.
“He came to Woodside with only a small bag and no knowledge of the industry but had a great attitude.
''Everyone that comes here likes Harrie. 'I'm quite happy to leave him to run the farm and go and do other things,” Mr Adam told NZ Herald.
Mr Adam added that every year he had to re-advertise for the position Mr Chander currently working in which was a mandatory requirement to get a work visa.
“No applications were ever as good as his,” Mr Mark said.
Mr Chander got married to Pawandeep in December 2016 which was attended by his boss Mark and his wife came to New Zealand in August last year.
On June 22, the couple received a letter from INZ stating Mrs Chander's application for a work visa - partner of a worker - received on March 28 had been declined.
A previous letter in May explained issues that she might not be eligible as her partner held an essential skills work visa.
More information including a letter of support was submitted by the couple to strengthen the application, but INZ was not satisfied.
The interim visa was granted to Mrs Chander while she waited for the decision and was valid until June 24, which makes her staying unlawfully in the country and is liable for deportation. She can appeal within 42 days to INZ on humanitarian grounds.
Mr Adam added that the couple is both skilled workers and wanted them to stay in the country.
Mr Chander said the couple would try once more and hope to his wife’s visa sorted.
Another alternative for Mrs Chander is to go back to India and reapply, this time while completing the requirements to work as a nurse in New Zealand.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has denied visa to a farm worker’s wife in Otago who can now face deportation back to India.
Chander Harjinder Singh, also known as ‘Harrie’ works as a herd manager at Taieri Dairy in Otago and after working in the kiwifruit industry for a considerable time. Responding...
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has denied visa to a farm worker’s wife in Otago who can now face deportation back to India.
Chander Harjinder Singh, also known as ‘Harrie’ works as a herd manager at Taieri Dairy in Otago and after working in the kiwifruit industry for a considerable time. Responding to his current boss Mark Adam’s advertisement looking for a dairy-farm worker, Mr Chander started working with Taieri dairy and soon became an integral member of the company.
“He came to Woodside with only a small bag and no knowledge of the industry but had a great attitude.
''Everyone that comes here likes Harrie. 'I'm quite happy to leave him to run the farm and go and do other things,” Mr Adam told NZ Herald.
Mr Adam added that every year he had to re-advertise for the position Mr Chander currently working in which was a mandatory requirement to get a work visa.
“No applications were ever as good as his,” Mr Mark said.
Mr Chander got married to Pawandeep in December 2016 which was attended by his boss Mark and his wife came to New Zealand in August last year.
On June 22, the couple received a letter from INZ stating Mrs Chander's application for a work visa - partner of a worker - received on March 28 had been declined.
A previous letter in May explained issues that she might not be eligible as her partner held an essential skills work visa.
More information including a letter of support was submitted by the couple to strengthen the application, but INZ was not satisfied.
The interim visa was granted to Mrs Chander while she waited for the decision and was valid until June 24, which makes her staying unlawfully in the country and is liable for deportation. She can appeal within 42 days to INZ on humanitarian grounds.
Mr Adam added that the couple is both skilled workers and wanted them to stay in the country.
Mr Chander said the couple would try once more and hope to his wife’s visa sorted.
Another alternative for Mrs Chander is to go back to India and reapply, this time while completing the requirements to work as a nurse in New Zealand.
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