Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Overstayers told citizenship not available at Waitangi

Updated at 6:51 pm on 3 February 2010

Two Government agencies are warning Pacific overstayers not to head to Waitangi this weekend expecting to become New Zealand citizens.

Immigration New Zealand and the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs are both extremely concerned about claims that some overstayers are being promised citizenship if a hapu adopts them at Waitangi on Saturday.

Pacific Island Affairs chief executive Colin Tukuitonga says immigration deals that sound too good to be true, are probably scams.

He says only Immigration New Zealand or people licensed by the agency are able to issue permits.

Dr Tukuitonga says people should not go to Waitangi this weekend thinking they will get citizenship there, because they won't.

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