Colin Forrest from Napier has been without his wife and two children for 461 days, his family is still in South Africa. About 450 people who had visas before the border closed still had relatives overseas, Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi​said. He acknowledged “thousands” of families would still be apart despite the new rule and since overseas-based visa applications remain on hold – except for healthcare workers and some highly-skilled workers - Forrest can only wait. He has tried six times to get his wife and kids exemptions to enter New Zealand, without success. Kyle MacFarlane,​ also from South Africa, has spent most of his 16-month marriage apart from his wife Jade.

Source: Stuff April 19, 2021 06:22 UTC