Popular Kāpiti business owners Ivett and Andras Kerekes arrived from Hungary six years ago, under the Entrepreneur’s Visa, keen to set up a business and re-establish their family in New Zealand.
Now Immigration says they are not wanted, rejecting their Application for Residency and they were informed, that unless some new path was found they will have to exit New Zealand in 42 days.
Kāpiti mayor Janet Holborow says she will be doing all she can to support the Kerekes family in their efforts to remain in New Zealand.
“Ivett and Andras and their family have contributed significantly to the rich cultural fabric of Kāpiti and they need our public support.”
Mayor Holborow says she will be talking with our local MPs and the Immigration Minister.
“We are a strong community and diversity is a crucial part of that strength, and as hard working successful business owners the Kerekes family have contributed greatly to Kāpiti,” says Mayor Holborow.
The Kerekes family established the ANZIL Hungarian Restaurant at Lindale, as well as running the largest catering business on the Kāpiti Coast, PartyPerfect.
The family say all of these enterprises have been successful, achieved through hard work.
“These businesses all have great reputations as well as being profitable. In addition, we have often used our various enterprises in support of local charities within the community.”
Unfortunately their dealings with the Immigration have not gone so well
“We have had a procession of seven different case officers, each time taking us back to the start. We have been lost in the labyrinth of Immigration.
“Our family are heart broken, we have worked hard, paid tax and we love this country, and this action is simply not fair.
Below is a petition in of support of the battle for Residency for Ivett, Andras and their sons Andor, Szilard and Gergo.