Teenager's deportation to India threat

The story so far

An 18-year-old who was born and raised in New Zealand, and has never visited India, faced deportation to India, and Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk agreed to reconsider the case.^{17 Feb 2025} The deportation was paused pending Penk's decision, and the teen was said to face removal because of an immigration law change.^{18 Feb 2025} The Labour Party described the ministerial intervention as a sensible move.^{18 Feb 2025}

Latest

The teen has been offered a resident visa following Penk's intervention. His parents, however, have been told they must leave New Zealand.^{20 Feb 2025}

Key moments

1. 17 Feb 2025Deportation to India put on hold while minister reviews the case.
2. 18 Feb 2025Deportation paused pending Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk's decision.
3. 20 Feb 2025Teen offered resident visa after ministerial intervention; parents told to leave.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.