Post by Kiwi Frontline on Feb 26, 2018 16:28:24 GMT 12
CONVICTED SCAMMER AMATO AKARANA-REWI BACK SELLING FAKE NEW ZEALAND CITIZEN CERTIFICATES
A convicted immigration scammer is back selling fake citizenship certificates to overstayers desperate to stay in the country.
But a Herald investigation has found 84-year-old Akarana-Rewi has restarted selling Aotearoa citizenship certificates, which promise holders the right to remain in the country indefinitely, and also be absolved from "Pakeha law", including paying taxes.
He conducts "citizenship ceremonies" at his Otara home for family and friends, who pay between $100 and $300 for the certificates.
"These so-called citizenship certificates are completely worthless," said Immigration New Zealand (INZ) assistant general manager Peter Devoy.
A Tongan national, who overstayed his visitor's visa to remain with his family in Auckland, said he went to see Akarana-Rewi after his appeal to the Immigration Minister was declined.
"After losing all my money to lawyers and immigration advisers, a friend suggested I applied for my right to stay under Maori law," said the man, who paid $150 for his certificate.
"I am grateful that Chief Tupai has approved my citizenship."
He did not want to be identified and said he wouldn't go to the police because it operated under a different jurisdiction.
The man believed the certificate would give him a "basis to fight" any deportation action.
Akarana-Rewi insists the citizenship certificates he issues are legal under Maori law, and that Maori had retained their sovereignty under the 1835 Declaration of Independence......
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12001592
A convicted immigration scammer is back selling fake citizenship certificates to overstayers desperate to stay in the country.
But a Herald investigation has found 84-year-old Akarana-Rewi has restarted selling Aotearoa citizenship certificates, which promise holders the right to remain in the country indefinitely, and also be absolved from "Pakeha law", including paying taxes.
He conducts "citizenship ceremonies" at his Otara home for family and friends, who pay between $100 and $300 for the certificates.
"These so-called citizenship certificates are completely worthless," said Immigration New Zealand (INZ) assistant general manager Peter Devoy.
A Tongan national, who overstayed his visitor's visa to remain with his family in Auckland, said he went to see Akarana-Rewi after his appeal to the Immigration Minister was declined.
"After losing all my money to lawyers and immigration advisers, a friend suggested I applied for my right to stay under Maori law," said the man, who paid $150 for his certificate.
"I am grateful that Chief Tupai has approved my citizenship."
He did not want to be identified and said he wouldn't go to the police because it operated under a different jurisdiction.
The man believed the certificate would give him a "basis to fight" any deportation action.
Akarana-Rewi insists the citizenship certificates he issues are legal under Maori law, and that Maori had retained their sovereignty under the 1835 Declaration of Independence......
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12001592