Six years ago Martyn Payne moved to New Zealand. He came on an entrepreneur's visa, had money and was keen to spend it here.

He says he's put about $700,000 into his business. He chose Kapiro in the far north, bought a rundown garage and turned it into a thriving business, employing locals.

He brought with him his young son, and later his daughter and grandchildren followed, but now, six years on, Mr Payne's being deported.

"The man came to tell me I’ve got to leave - he did give me a couple of weeks, but he did say, 'You will be able to visit in six months - but sponsored by someone.' It does feel like I’m being treated like a criminal," says Mr Payne.

"That leaves a very bad taste in my mouth."

His son has already left, and his daughter has no choice but to stay. She has children here now, and will run the family business on her own.

She's not sure how she will cope – she says she can't even change a spark plug.

Mr Payne is the fix it man, the guy the community relies on, and he is being taken away from his most important role - head of his family. But why?

A medical examination six years ago revealed Mr Payne had a heart issue. Immigration believes he might require healthcare in the future, and it's not prepared to pay, so Mr Payne is being deported.

He had an operation in England and passed the test.

“The operation was a success - I got a letter from the specialist saying I was fully recovered,” Mr Payne said.

But four years later the Department of Immigration requested another medical

"They asked me to have another test. I had a fibrillation, which means the heart beat is irregular, which means I have to have a jump start."

He disagreed with the findings, and went to a doctor who specialises in heart disease. Dr Brendon Wong said although Mr Payne has a dilated impaired heart muscle, he is coping well.

Mr Payne says he's prepared to pay for follow-up tests, but there is no evidence he will need heart surgery in the future.

Despite the support of thousands of locals it seems Mr Payne has lost the battle to stay. He flies out of the country on Saturday leaving behind everything he owns - more importantly his daughter and seven grandchildren.

It will be six months before he is able to even return for a visit.

Local MPs John Carter and Shane Jones have lobbied Minister Kate Wilkinson on Mr Payne's behalf with no success.

His community staunchly stands behind him.

"Every customer comes in saying, 'How is it going?', and it's like you almost need a script. You know that they care… It's like one big, huge family," Mr Payne said.

It's a family that will be torn apart this weekend, but all the while the man from Sussex, looking for a life in Kapiro, can still share a joke or two.

"I've had three offers of marriage - its absolutely true! I said a) I’m already married and b) it doesn't work like that. The local iwi at Te Tii offered to take me into their family… I didn't think it would take any sway with Immigration - but humbling to say the least."

(Source 3 News)

Our comment:

Health reasons may indeed be a reason to decline a residence application. In this case however, common sense and empathy should prevail as the person in question delivers enormous benefits to New Zealand through investment in a company, operating a business in a rural area, providing employment of locals and through being an active integrated member of the New Zealand community! An example where anticipations were created (approval of the visa at the initial stages), an example where immigration medical instructions for temporary visas and permanent visas do not link, an excellent example of bureaucracy at his highest and worst level!