WELLINGTON – New Zealand opened a two-year window Wednesday for peopledirectly affected by the Christchurch terror attacks to apply to staypermanently in the country.
The special visa category “recognises the impact of the tragedy on thelives of those most affected, and gives people currently on temporary andresident visas some certainty” about their status, Immigration New Zealandsaid in a statement.
People living in New Zealand who were present at one of the mosques andtheir immediate family based in New Zealand qualify for the visa.
The definition of “immediate family” has been expanded to include a widecircle of family members including partner’s family and the grandparents ofchildren under 25.
Mustafa Farouk, the president of the Federation of Islamic Associations ofNew Zealand, said it was a generous gesture.
“We are very happy,” he said, adding he expected everyone eligible wouldapply.
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“Some of these people have not only lost their loved ones, they have alsolost their main provider.”
A self-styled white supremacist opened fire on Muslims at prayer in twoChristchurch mosques on March 15.
Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian” has been charged with 50 countsof murder and 39 of attempted murder. -APP/AFP
