Family faces deportation from New Zealand

A South African family in New Zealand is facing deportation because of a late notification to authorities about a change in job. Gavin Penfold (30) has taken his children out of school and given up his job, while the family awaits the outcome of an appeal. Gavin arrived in New Zealand with his wife, Lorinda, and children Michene (10) and Tristan (5) in December 2004. After working in Whangarei for about six weeks, he accepted a position with an Auckland car dealership. Gavin later learned he should have notified immigration authorities of the change to his working conditions. After speaking with a consultant, he notified the authorities, and also applied for residency. But his application was rejected on the grounds he had admitted a breach in his work conditions. His work permit was revoked, his wife and son's permits were revoked, and his daughter's student visa as well. The authorities say that the variation request was received about 10 months after the move to Auckland, and that was too long, as the permit only allowed him to work at the Whangarei dealership.Crime was the main reason whu the family moved from Cape Town to New Zealand. Gavin had worked as a sales manager for Rover, and Lorinda had worked for the American Embassy in Pretoria. Tristan had already started school in Auckland, but if forced to return to South Africa he will have to wait until he is 7 before he can go back to school.