A British couple are battling to stay in New Zealand to support their daughter and five Kiwi grandchildren.
Andy and Fiona Surridge moved to Invercargill in 2012 when their daughter Sam left a marriage she says was violent. She was left with debts of $45,000 and need help with childcare so she could keep working.
But they are now facing an immigration nightmare – and leaving their family behind.
"I came to New Zealand because my daughter found herself in a very difficult situation - so we came to help her out and that's all you can with your kids. That's what it's all about," Mr Surridge said.
"Family is everything," Fiona Surridge said, breaking down in tears. "I love my grandkids. Our little family are here. I'd miss them. I couldn't do without them."
Because he's 65, Andy Surridge is not entitled to permanent residency. But he's eligible for a specially created South Island contribution visa because he's a fuel tanker driver – a skill New Zealand is badly short on.
The National government created the one-off visa category to help ease a skills shortage in the South Island. But despite there being 4000 places – just 916 have been approved, with the scheme due to close at the end of May.
Invercargill MP Sarah Dowie says the family have become caught up in politics, because the new Government want to curb immigration. She's twice asked Associate Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi to intervene, but he has refused.
She says the family are "Kiwi as" and have been contributing to the local community and economy. "Where we have got to is this South Island pathway to residency is being stymied and they are not allowing these people to come through the door."
Mr Faafoi wouldn't comment on the Surridge's case.
The family are now living in Timaru after Mr Surridge's fuel run was changed.
He said: "I deserve to be here. We both deserve to be here with our grandchildren… I'm fit, I walk a lot...I am not a burden on society. I've got a full English pension when I do retire. I don't need your money except when I earn it."
He's forced to apply for a rolling work visa every year – that costs $3000 each time. "Because of the visa situation I'm in I can't buy a house or take out large loans - anything that would make our lives a little easier or even normal - it's not a normal existence at the moment."
He says he's had no explanation for the rejections – only a curt one-line letter.
"If you could have an explanation you could kind of understand it but you are just being fobbed off."
Sam Surridge says she can't afford to take the children back to England for a visit. "It would be devastating …the family unit would be gone."
Surridge made a last plea to the Government: "Let us stay because we aren't any drain - we look after ourselves. It is important for us to stay – it-s all about family and Sam - we want to be here for them to, see them grow up."
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