Associate Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi steps in on Mark Middleton case

Kris Faafoi's office has confirmed the Associate Immigration Minister has stepped in on Mark Middleton's case.

Mr Middleton, the stepfather of murdered schoolgirl Karla Cardno, was served an unexpected deportation notice last week after he was arrested by Immigration New Zealand and police.

He moved to New Zealand with his family in 1962 - aged just five. However officials claimed he'd been overstaying since returning from a holiday in Fiji in 1986.

He was kept in police cells for 40 hours and told he'd have to leave the country in just four days.

"You know, they've had 30 years [to deport me] and I haven't been hiding anywhere," he said.

He asked for officials - or the Minister - to stop the deportation. And it appears his request for intervention has been answered.

"The Associate Minister has considered and made a decision in regard to the request for intervention for Mark Middleton," a spokesperson for the Minister told Newshub.

"The Minister will not be commenting further on this case other than to note that he will speak with Immigration New Zealand to discuss the circumstances of the case and to ensure any possible lessons have been learned."

In 1989, Mr Middleton's step-daughter Karla was kidnapped, tortured and murdered in Lower Hutt. Her killer Paul Dally was jailed for life.

In 1999, Mr Middleton was charged and later convicted of threatening to kill Dally - leading to nationwide protests.

Newshub.