An immigration lawyer says the authorities ignored warnings about an unlicensed adviser who preyed on Pacific people.
Hakaoro Hakaoro, 54, was on Wednesday jailed for 20 months, after earlier admitting six charges of acting as an immigration adviser unlawfully.
Lawyer Richard Small said Hakaoro has been in recent years allowed to crawl through every loophole going, and continue working.
He said the problems caused by illegal immigration advisers have been devastating for many families within the Pacific community.
The First Union said immigrants are often desperate for work and easily fall victim to dodgy immigration consultants.
New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment deputy chair June Ranson says the Immigration Advisers Authority can act against unlicensed consultants only if a complaint is laid, and many migrants are nervous and unwilling to deal with government authorities.
Ms Ranson says this country's reputation is very much on the line and anyone seeking immigration help must make sure they go to a licensed adviser.
