Boochani arrived in the city after being granted a visitor visa to attend a literary festival - it is understood he is still in New Zealand. There was no justification for using a visitor visa to get to New Zealand in order to then seek asylum, Smith said. When asked about statements Boochani had made about maybe staying on past his visa, Ardern said at the time it was "totally hypothetical". Asylum claims in New Zealand are dealt with "totally independently of politicians", she said. "Asylum claims are very sensitive in nature and are often made because the individual has a fear of persecution in their country or otherwise fear returning there.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 03, 2020 21:11 UTC