New Zealand ready to deport fat immigrants

New Zealand is the third most obese nation in the developed world after the United States and Mexico, but a 130 kg or 266 lbs.

New Zealand is the third most obese nation in the developed world after the United States and Mexico, but a 130 kg or 266 lbs. resident and successful chef from South Africa is supposed to be deported after 6 years in the country. The reason is simple. He is too fat for New Zealand immigration authorities.

The fat guy from South Africa is Mr. Albert Buitenhuis, and he is not leaving without a fight.

Buitenhaus, who stands at five feet ten inches, has a body mass index of 40 – making him clinically obese. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) said that an applicant’s BMI must be under 35.

“INZ’s medical assessors have said to consider to what extent there might be indications of future high-cost and high-need demand for health services,” a spokesman said, as quoted by the Huffington Post.

Both Buitenhaus and his wife are now facing deportation, which they say is unfair.

Before arriving to New Zealand, the chef weighed 159 kg (350 lbs.). Much of that weight was gained after Buitenhaus quit smoking. His wife Marthie told the media that their visas had been approved every year since they arrived in 2007.

“We applied year after year, and there were no issues. They never mentioned Albert’s weight or his health once and he was a lot heavier then,” she told the press.

The couple has appealed to the country’s immigration minister, citing the chef’s recent weight loss.

About the author

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

Share to...