The planned deportation of a disabled Fijian man is on hold and his case is under review.
Sagar Narayan, 20, has the mental age of a six-year-old and no family or support networks back in Fiji.
His father, Lalit Narayan, told Newshub two weeks ago he'd been told to arrange for his son's deportation by Friday - but all that's changed. The incoming Government may be about to offer him a reprieve.
"[Sagar] will not be deported tomorrow. So that deportation order has been put on hold," Immigration Minister Iain Less-Galloway confirmed.
After Newshub highlighted the story, the family's local Labour MP Carmel Sepuloni - who's now the new Minister for Social Development Disability Issues - sent Immigration New Zealand a letter saying Sagar should be allowed to stay.
Mr Less-Galloway won't say whether he agrees with her, but said the case is now being reconsidered.
"The review will go ahead. At the moment we're just waiting for officials to prepare a briefing so that we're fully appraised of all the information."
Sagar's lawyer, Alastair McClymont, has helped the family fight the case for the last seven years.
He says it's a positive development in an "extremely special" case.
"There is simply no other family in Fiji for Sagar to live with, there are no facilities to look after Sagar.
"If he is deported, he will simply be dumped in an institution for the rest of his life."
Sagar's father said he spent much of the day in tears because he didn't know what would happen to his son.
He said he's very happy with the development and hopes it means Sagar will be able to stay in New Zealand - and with his family.
Newshub.
