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Ukrainian restaurateurs celebrate after winning deportation reprieve

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 18 Apr 2019, 9:59AM
Photo / NZ Herald

Ukrainian restaurateurs celebrate after winning deportation reprieve

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 18 Apr 2019, 9:59AM

A Ukrainian family which owns a popular Auckland restaurant are celebrating this morning after winning a reprieve in their battle against deportation.

Associate Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi stepped in to allow Nataliya Shchetkova , her husband and three children to stay for another year.

The family, who run La Vista restaurant in St Heliers, twice renewed their entrepreneur visa - the maximum number of times allowed.

Nataliya Shchetkova told Mike Yardley the family are feeling relieved after receiving the news yesterday.

"We are just so grateful for everyone who has supported us and who helped us achieve this outcome. Everything changes so fast, now we can have a happy Easter and enjoy it.

Shchetkova says they will now apply for residency again and hope we can stay in New Zealand permanently. 

"We got a special 12-month work visa, so now we have the right to apply for residency. This will truly be a wonderful Easter."

La Vista had a turnover of $1.6 million in the last financial year and employs 26 staff.

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