'Hemorrhaging money': Couple stuck in Samoa desperate to get back to NZ

What started out as a relaxing holiday for a Wellington couple has turned into a financial sinkhole, thanks to Covid-19.

Connor's German partner Helena was refused a seat on their flight home on March 26, so both of them are now stuck in Samoa. 

It might not look such a bad place to be in isolation, but when you can't afford the room you’re staying in, it's a scary reality. 

The Wellington couple are unable to get back to New Zealand for at least 30 days with no flights available until May 2 at the earliest.

"We both were really surprised because we called them many days before to make sure it was going to be fine, and then they said yes, and then all of a sudden, they said no," Helena told Newshub. 

Connor said at the airport they were told Helena wasn't "in the system" as his partner and that we would have to go an immigration centre to be "made official". 

"This was ridiculous because we'd already contacted immigration and were told the system had updated," Connor said. 

"The previous morning we rang air New Zealand to confirm our flight and they brought up no issues with us boarding." 

Border restrictions were imposed before they were due to fly home on March 19, three days into the couple's trip, and Helena who travels on a European passport was kicked off the return flight to New Zealand.

"The reality hadn't set in until the flight took off without us," Connor said. 

Helena, a German national who’s been working as an au pair in Wellington for two years, has been in a relationship with Connor for the last nine months.

As Samoa shut down to fight COVID-19, the Sheraton was the only hotel available for them to stay in.

But their room costs $129, they’ve budgeted $15 a day each for food and incidentals, and $20 a week to keep the cellphone topped up. 

Over 30 days they’re looking at a bill of more than $4500, and they have already forked out $1000 in the week extra so far. 

To cut costs they’ve been sharing with stranded another traveller but he’s leaving soon on a flight to Europe. 

"Once you realise they are safe and have a place to stay, the reality sets in and at the moment, they are hemorrhaging money," Connor's mum Alison told Newshub. 

"For us it was pretty much survive day by day on as little as possible," Connor said. 

Connor's mum has been trying to find help, she started with the Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway. 

"That day leading at the weekend leading up to the message, our PM said, of course, this means partners and children of, so I am gobsmacked - it's like the link between her words and INZ is majorly missing," she explained. 

Five days later the response came from his office stating there is “strict criteria” around travel exceptions. 

But on Tuesday afternoon, just hours after Newshub contacted the Prime Minister's office, an email was sent to Alison apologising for the initial correspondence, from Lees-Galloway directly.

He said as the partner of a New Zealand citizen Helena should have been allowed to travel back to home, and that the problem should be sorted out quickly.

Lees-Galloway also noted Connor has a statutory declaration of the partnership with Helena and said: "This should be helpful in verifying their relationship".

Alison’s scepitcal. 

"In other words, a mistake was made with processes at the border last Tuesday," Alison said. 

"My experience to date with New Zealand Immigration - I am horrified. At this stage, it's just words, I want some action."

In a statement Iain Lees-Galloway told Newshub he was concerned to learn about Connor's trouble in being able to bring home to New Zealand. 

"I have also asked Immigration New Zealand to investigate.

"I expect this should be sorted out quickly. As a New Zealand citizen or resident, your partner should be able to travel home with you. Anyone else whose partner in this situation should contact Immigration New Zealand." 

Immigration New Zealand has promised to get back to the family in two days but it may not be of any help to Connor and Helena now if there are no flights home.

In a statement, a spokesperson for INZ said based on the information provided at the time of Helena's boarding, INZ was unable to confirm that Ms Chmielewski was the partner of a travelling New Zealand citizen and therefore, whether she was able to travel to New Zealand without being granted an exception to the border restrictions.

INZ said it is looking into this situation, and process has been developed for cases such as this to be expedited in advance of checking in for flights.