Former Nauru MP Roland Kun returns to New Zealand

After spending 12 months stranded in Nauru the former opposition MP Roland Kun has left Nauru and returned to New Zealand. He was reunited with his family this afternoon at Wellington airport.

Roland presented himself at the Nauru airport yesterday with a recently issued New Zealand passport. He was permitted to board an outgoing flight to Brisbane before travelling to New Zealand.

“I’m so proud to be returning to my adopted country as a real Kiwi. After spending 12 months stranded in Nauru because of the actions of the government I just can’t believe I’m finally going to see my beautiful family again,” says Roland.

“I’m extremely grateful for the assistance of my legal team and grateful for the consideration of Minister Dunne and the New Zealand Government on the matter of citizenship and the issuing of a passport,” he said.

Background

Roland Kun was one of a number of opposition MPs unlawfully suspended from the Nauru Parliament in 2014. In his case it was for speaking to the international media about the breakdown in the rule of law in Nauru.

In June last year Roland was living in Wellington with his family and returned to Nauru for a brief four day visit. While he was there the Nauru government cancelled his passport, preventing him from leaving. No charge has ever been laid against Roland in connection with the cancellation of his passport but the Nauru government has refused to issue him a new one.

As a result, Roland has been separated from his family for a year. Prior to the separation, he was the primary caregiver to three young children. The Nauru government would not let Roland’s wife Katy enter Nauru.

A general election was held in Nauru on Saturday. Roland did not stand for re-election.

Application for citizenship

In December last year, Roland applied for New Zealand citizenship.

Section 9(1)(c) of the Citizenship Act permits the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon Peter Dunne) to grant citizenship to a person if he is satisfied that to do so would be in the public interest because of exceptional circumstances of a humanitarian or other nature.

Twelve days ago Mr Kun’s legal team, and his wife Katy, were informed that Mr Kun’s application for New Zealand citizenship had been successful. Mr Kun's New Zealand passport was issued that afternoon and sent to Nauru.

ENDS

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