From a Stuff report yesterday, it appears even well known people can have trouble with the NZ Immigration Service.

The Service refuses to let the Welsh-born wife of a former New Zealand Rugby player stay in New Zealand.

Dean Kenny is angry his marriage of nine years has been described as a sham and his wife denied residency in NZ – they have two young children.

“They’ve told us they want to make sure it’s not a marriage of convenience. We’ve been married nine years.

“We gave them everything they asked for and they came back wanting all sorts of other proof.”

Kenny and his wife have been asked to prove their marriage’s authenticity – for the third time – and were informed their latest application could take a year to process.

Fearing she would be deported immediately, the Kennys gained 30 days to remedy the situation.

New Zealand First’s immigration spokesman Dail Jones has now raised the issue in Parliament.

“It’s quite appalling really. We want to welcome people back to New Zealand and here we have an ex-pat in this sort of situation. It’s an absolute disgrace.”