'A psychological nightmare': Why NZ declined transit visa for woman stranded in Cook Islands
Immigration New Zealand has repeatedly denied a transit visa to a South Asian woman stranded in the Cook Islands, citing doubts about her genuine intention to transit. The woman, who has been unable to return home for years, describes her situation as a psychological nightmare.
Why it matters
The case highlights the complexities of international transit regulations and the humanitarian challenges faced by individuals caught in bureaucratic limbo.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) says it will not allow a foreign national stuck in the Cook Islands to transit because it doubts her true intentions.
The South Asian woman, 49, arrived in the Cook Islands on 8 November 2023 and has been unable to leave since then. She also does not possess a visa to stay in the country.
Neither Australia nor New Zealand has approved her transit, for which she does not even require leaving the airport.
INZ operations director Janine Parsons confirmed that they received multiple applications for a transit visa from the woman.
"However, these applications were declined as we were not satisfied she has a genuine intention to transit through New Zealand," Parsons told Cook Islands News .
"We are unable to comment further due to privacy concerns."
The Cook Islands Immigration office in Avarua.
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