FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DISCLAIMER
The material contained in Frequently Asked Questions is provided as general information only. The questions are ones that have often been asked by people who have contacted the Removal Review Authority. The answers given are intended to be helpful but are provided on the understanding that the Removal Review Authority is not offering any professional advice.

The information provided is necessarily brief and in summary form only. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material provided. If this information differs from the Immigration Act 1987, then the provisions of the Immigration Act 1987 prevail. You should read the detailed provisions of the Immigration Act 1987 and the Immigration Regulations 1999, or consult a lawyer or immigration agent about your circumstances.

ABOUT THE REMOVAL REVIEW AUTHORITY

  1. Who is the Removal Review Authority?

    The Removal Review Authority is an independent judicial body established under section 49 of the Immigration Act 1987 (the Immigration Act).

  2. What does the Removal Review Authority do?

    The Removal Review Authority decides appeals under section 47 of the Immigration Act against the requirement for a person who is unlawfully in New Zealand to leave New Zealand.

  3. Is the Removal Review Authority part of Immigration New Zealand?

    No. The Removal Review Authority is independent of Immigration New Zealand.

  4. What is the difference between the Removal Review Authority and the Deportation Review Tribunal?

    The Deportation Review Tribunal is a separate judicial body administered by the Ministry of Justice. It hears appeals from:

    • residence permit holders who are subject to deportation orders as a result of being convicted of certain
      criminal offences;  

    • residence permit and returning residence visa holders whose permits or visas have been revoked in
      accordance with sections 20 and 20A of the Immigration Act; and 

    • people exempt from the requirement to hold a permit who are subject to deportation orders as a result of being
      convicted of certain criminal offences.  

  5. How do I contact the Removal Review Authority?

    The Removal Review Authority is located on the

    6th Floor
    SolNet House
    70 The Terrace
    Wellington

    The postal address of the Removal Review Authority is:

    PO Box 1674
    Wellington
    New Zealand

    Telephone: 04 915 4274
       
    Facsimile:  04 915 6390
       

    Please note that no direct communication with a Removal Review Authority member is possible.

  6. Where can I find copies of Removal Review Authority decisions?

    This website contains full text decisions of the Removal Review Authority. The published decisions are in a 'depersonalised' form (ie, the appellant's name and other identifying information are removed).

  7. How should I refer to a decision published on this website?

    Please refer to the decision as follows:

    • Decision number

    • Date of decision

    • Paragraph number (where appropriate)

    • Website reference

    Example: Removal Appeal No 98765, 23 January 2002, paragraph [33]; www.removalreviewauthority.govt.nz

    Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the electronic version of decisions by the Removal Review Authority. However, in case of difference, the official sealed decision held by the Removal Review Authority prevails.