Where will I be sent to when I get deported to New Zealand?

You can choose where you go to. When you are interviewed about your deportation you can tell them what town or city you want to go to. The Australian border force will organise a connecting flight (if necessary) to that destination and arrange hotel accommodation for a few nights when you arrive. It’s important for you to know that services for Deportees are not in every community. If you go to a community where there is no service you might receive little or no support. Services are in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Turangi, Palmerston North, Hawkes Bay, Wanganui, New Plymouth, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Will I get to go shopping for clothes before I leave Australia?

It’s probable that you will be taken directly to the airport from prison or detention and held in custody until you board the plane.

I don’t have any money. How will I survive when I arrive in New Zealand?

When you leave Australia, the Australian Border Force should give you some cash. The amount varies, so we can’t tell you how much that will be. When you arrive in New Zealand, if you have come straight from prison or detention you’ll be given a Steps to Freedom payment of $NZ350 which is issued on a Westpac debit card. Once you’re set up with WINZ (Centrepoint equivalent in NZ), depending on your cash assets or if you have a partner that’s earning, you will receive a regular benefit and may be eligible for other grants, depending on your circumstances.

I have nowhere to live? Will I end up begging on the streets?

There is supported accommodation specifically for Deportees in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch. If there is no accommodation available there, you can access emergency accommodation in most communities.

Will I be able to get work with a criminal record?

PARS has good connections with recruitment agencies that will employ people with criminal convictions and some are very supportive of 501s.

Will I be able to appeal my deportation from New Zealand when I arrive?

You must start the appeal process while you are still in Australia. If you voluntarily return while the appeal is still in process you can continue that process from New Zealand If you haven’t appealed before you leave Australia you have no right of appeal from Aotearoa New Zealand.

Will I be able to come back to Australia for family events (weddings, funerals, etc.)

Not unless you have successfully appealed your Visa revocation order. If you haven’t you no longer have a visa to enter Australia. You would have to request a special visa from the Australian Embassy and it’s highly unlikely this would be approved with a criminal conviction.

How will I be able to contact people in Australia when I get back to New Zealand?

It’s likely you won’t be able to purchase a phone until you arrive in New Zealand. You will receive some funds from WINZ (Centrelink) which could include a small allowance for a phone and other items. Libraries in Aotearoa New Zealand also provide access to computers for email communication.

Will I be free to do get on with my life when I get back to New Zealand?

If you’ve come from prison or detention, you will most likely be on conditions requiring you to report into Community Corrections, weekly to start with. The length of time you will have to remain on conditions will depend on your conviction. While on conditions there could be restrictions on where you can live and work, etc.

I’m on medication. How will I be able to access that when I get back to New Zealand?

You will be given a supply of your medication before you leave Australia. Once back in Aotearoa New Zealand, we will help you register with a GP to ensure you can continue to get your medication. If you’re on the methadone programme, you will most likely have an appointment already set up (usually within 48-72 hours after arrival) at the clinic in the community where you will be living.