Overstayer who hid under false name loses deportation appeal and remains in NZ

Lafaele Laoa entered New Zealand in 1988 with a forged passport and the assumed identity of Olive Mao, remaining for 38 years while accruing a series of convictions from 1992 to 2013 and ten alleged family-harm incidents between 2009 and 2020. After being placed in immigration custody, he requested ministerial intervention in 2024, claiming he used the alias to avoid separation from his New Zealand family. The Immigration and Protection Tribunal found his prolonged unlawful residence and use of a false identity outweighed humanitarian considerations, especially given the regularity of violent episodes in his recent relationship.

Although the tribunal granted a three-month deferment to allow his sister’s care arrangements and his children to raise funds, that period ended on 29 September and he has not departed. Immigration New Zealand confirmed he remains in the country unlawfully and warned that further compliance action may follow.