A woman whose family fled the Taliban for New Zealand when she was a child says the only option she's been left with for getting her Afghan fiancé here is to go collect him herself - which would put both of their lives at risk.
It's called "fetch and fly" by those dealing with hundreds of cases of New Zealand citizens or permanent residents with loved ones stuck overseas during the pandemic.
While borders will "open" from April, temporary offshore visas allowing partners and family to reunite won't be processed until August. Immigration NZ agrees Samira is in a 'genuine and stable relationship' with her fiancé - but denied her a visa to bring him here on the basis they haven't lived together.
It also rejected a humanitarian border exception because the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan "isn't exceptional".
Kathryn talks to immigration advisor Katy Armstrong about Immigration NZ's decision and to Samira about her situation, her fears for the safety of her fiancé - and why returning to Afghanistan is simply too risky now.
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