Singh, who has been in New Zealand for a decade, was frustrated at the immigration system after being separated from his Indian family for four years. He had repeatedly tried to gain entry for his wife and daughter but had been declined because officials thought his marriage was not genuine.
“I don’t know what to do. I hope they will listen to us. My wife is not coping. She has given up, and I’m giving up too.”
Early childhood teacher Shruti Paralkar was visibly emotional, recounting how difficult the past 14 months had been as she waited to see her 6-year-old daughter and husband who remained in India.