Octogenarian Kiwi applies for his first passport

Published:  4 Jan at 6 PM
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An 89-year old resident of Alexandra, New Zealand is applying for his first-ever passport in a bid to join his sick Filipina wife after she was refused residency.

Ian Glover met his Filipina wife Aurora, 67, through friends in Alexandra and the couple have been married for five years. Aurora, a diabetic, was forced to return to the Philippines last March after her mother died to help sort out her estate.

Previously, she had been denied a residence visa due to her illness, which has worsened due to poor heath care since she returned to her home country. At the present time her kidneys are affected, resulting in weekly dialysis sessions.

As the cost of the treatment in New Zealand is prohibitive for a non- resident, she is unable to return to her husband, who is praying that an appeal against the refusal of residency might be granted on humanitarian grounds. Ian told the New Zealand Herald he misses her very much, although they speak daily by phone.

Mr Glover worked for 30 years with the New Zealand Post Office and had previously served in the air force. He feels strongly that having his wife by his side during his old age is not too much to ask, even given the state of her health and the, albeit reduced, cost of her treatment should she be granted residency.

He is planning to visit the Philippines to see Aurora at the end of February, although he has never travelled overseas before and is worried about the challenge of living overseas. Before he leaves, he will meet with Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean in the hope that she can help.
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