More overstayers reported from Pukekohe Holi event, INZ "prioritising contact"
Three of the four who have returned include Charu Das (left) and singer Shibani Kashyap.
Most of the travelling group from India are now overstayers in New Zealand.
A few more people who travelled from India to perform at a Holi function in Pukekohe last month have joined the ranks of those who have overstayed their visa from that single event.
Aside from the 11 with a limited-period visa who have so far been known to have not returned after their visas expired, three more are now reported to have slipped off the radar, immigration officials say. These travellers had a one-month tourist visa that expired last week.
That means out of the 18 who travelled in February as part of what was originally described as a cultural troupe, as many as 14 are now in New Zealand unlawfully.
Immigration New Zealand has already launched an inquiry and is trying to trace the defaulters and send them back to India.
"We are prioritising contacting those who are now in New Zealand unlawfully, on a case‑by‑case basis, and we continue to assess any information we receive," INZ's Director Visa Jock Gilray says.
Three of the four who have returned include the travelling troupe's chief organiser, Charu Das, singer Shibani Kashyap and movie director Shaji Mathew.
Officials have also indicated that some members of the group have not been in regular contact with authorities, and their whereabouts are not clearly established.
The group travelled as part of a cultural programme linked to Holi events. The visit had received support from the Consulate General of India in Auckland, which wrote to immigration authorities ahead of the programme.
Singer Shibani Kashyap, who was associated with the programme, has distanced herself from the situation.
“I am extremely disappointed that without seeking clarification from me, my name and image have been linked to this episode,” she said.
Kashyap said she was not aware that others were travelling under her name. “Anybody would understand that carrying a whole team abroad is not easy,” she said.
The Delhi-based CD Foundation, which was associated with organising the event, said its role had been “exploited by certain unscrupulous elements for purposes entirely beyond our knowledge, mandate, or consent”.
The organisation said it had “no involvement whatsoever in any immigration violation, visa misuse, unlawful stay, or illegal migration activity”, and that any suggestion otherwise was “completely incorrect and without basis”.
CD Foundation describes itself as working across international cultural programming that brings together artists, entrepreneurs, businesses and diplomatic missions for events centred on cultural exchange.
It was also associated with events in and around Auckland in August last year to mark India’s Independence Day, including a performance at the Due Drop Events Centre attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
Community organisations, including the New Zealand Indian Central Association, are also urging people to comply with immigration laws and cooperate with authorities.
