Overstayers have until 5pm Friday, March 30th, to legalise their stay in New Zealand under the Government's Transitional Policy, Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel said today.

After that time, overstayers will be asked to leave New Zealand or they will be removed.

"Time is critical now for people who haven't done anything to legalise their status, to do something about it," Lianne Dalziel said.

"People who qualify – including well-settled overstayers, who have been in New Zealand for at least five years, OR who have a New Zealand spouse, OR a New Zealand-born child – need to apply now if they haven't done so already.

"For those who have been unable to lodge their applications because they are awaiting an overseas Police Clearance or who do not have their passport, they need to contact the Immigration Service now.

"I am pleased to note that more than 3,500 people have applied to date, but those who do not qualify should leave the country immediately.

"Anyone who does not qualify under Transitional Policy and who has overstayed their visa or permit, will incur a five-year ban from re-entering New Zealand if they are removed.

"This Policy has been the Labour-Alliance Government's humanitarian response to long outstanding issues surrounding long-term overstayers," Lianne Dalziel said.

For those wanting more information about the Transitional Policy contact:

0800 731 731 or 0508 731 731

or contact your local MP's office.

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>