There have not been enough flights available to meet the government's targets for deportations. File photo. Photo: 123rf.com
A lack of flights is being blamed for the number of deportations being hundreds short of government targets.
Fewer than 800 people were deported in the past financial year, about half the target figure of 1500 deportations.
Government figures show that the number of people deported from New Zealand dropped during the pandemic, but have not returned to normal since the borders re-opened.
The total of 784 was only two more than were deported in the previous year, and includes people who departed voluntarily.
Monthly deportation figures from July to September show 239 people have been deported, about 100 of which were enforced and paid for by Immigration Compliance and Investigation, part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
MBIE's annual report said getting plane tickets was harder and more expensive.
"The ministry's ability to undertake enforcement action against migrants who were breaching their visa conditions, including removing people from New Zealand who were liable for deportation, was affected by airlines and flight availability. Flight and seat availability was significantly reduced and of a higher price. This reduced both the ministry's driven deportations as well as self and voluntary deportations."
Separate figures from Immigration New Zealand show 1900 people were deported in 2018-19, the last full pre-pandemic year.
The numbers included people who have breached visas, overstayed or committed crimes.
It showed two-thirds of deportations were voluntary, or carried out by migrants of their own volition after a deportation order was served.
The latest annual report of the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, for 2022/23, showed more than half of people due to be deported had that decision overturned on appeal. The report noted the pandemic was still affecting deportation appeal numbers.
"Humanitarian appeals have been impacted by the long period during which borders were closed during the pandemic, leading to people being here for much longer than would normally have been the case. Such extended stays tend to result in higher numbers of people developing strong reasons for remaining in New Zealand, including relationships, children and family. It is likely that the number of such cases will fall away as time passes."
In one tribunal case from September this year, a man who overstayed his visa for 37 years won an appeal against deportation. The 62-year-old said he only realised he was not a resident when the company where he worked carried out an audit of employees in 2022.
"He came here in 1987 to see his then-girlfriend but, after the expire of his three-month visitor visa, never left," said the IPT decision. "He married, divorced, re-partnered and had children. He had long term employment here, including at least 13 years with a large New Zealand company." It noted he supported and cared for his sister and would face difficulties if he was deported to Fiji.
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