Eavama Immigration

17/06/2026

Mālō ‘aupito PMN Tonga and JP for having me! My Tongan isn’t great, but I hope it was a small word of encouragement to our migrants and Pacific families out there 🙏🏽

I am out here in Tonga until next week, feel free to send me a message if you would like to meet 🇹🇴

10/06/2026

My first interview, can you tell? 😅

Thank you to the team at The Generator for your support and I really appreciate the opportunity to share my story.

In this interview, I spoke about the proposed immigration law changes currently being considered by Parliament. One of the proposed changes would remove the right for visitor visa holders to appeal their deportation on humanitarian grounds to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal.

For some individuals and families who have exhausted their options with Immigration New Zealand, the Tribunal can be an important final opportunity to have their circumstances considered, particularly where there are strong humanitarian factors involved. With these appeal rights potentially being removed, it is important for affected individuals and families to act early and explore their options before any changes take effect.

A special shout out to my parents, who took the opportunity to migrate to New Zealand with no knowledge of English. They took whatever work they could find and worked long hours to give our family the life we have today 🇹🇴

Grateful to now be in a position to support others who are going through the same journey ❤️

11/05/2026

Northland is home to a large migrant community, including many Pacific families and especially a strong Fijian community working in corrections, forestry and trades. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to support families with a wide range of immigration matters including children's visa requirements, understanding visa obligations, knowing what to do when things go wrong and helping people better understand their pathways to residence 🇳🇿

One of the biggest challenges is trying to break the fear and mistrust within our Pacific communities around seeking immigration help 🙏🏽❤️ Too many people have either had bad experiences themselves or heard stories that make the immigration process feel intimidating or confusing. My goal is to create a space where people feel comfortable asking questions, receiving honest advice and properly understanding their options without fear or judgment 🫶🏽

If you can do it yourself, I will always encourage you to save your money and do so if you feel confident in submitting your own visa application. Has anyone ever heard of an adviser or lawyer actually telling you to save your money and do your own application? 😅 But if you are unsure or overwhelmed, that’s where I come in to support and guide you through the process.

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to listen and those who trusted me enough to share your stories and discuss your situation. A very special thank you to Lata and Ame from the Fale Pasifika, for all the work that went into organising and coordinating the week 🌺

See you again soon Northland!

Vinaka sara vakalevu 🇫🇯❤️

05/05/2026

Kerikeri 📍

If you or your family need immigration advice, feel free to send me a message and I will book you in for a consultation.

No payment required and no obligation to proceed with any services, just here to support. I will also be running a number of seminars this week where I will provide an overview of the immigration system, how to plan and prepare for residence, and what to do when things go wrong.

We are here until Thursday and will be in Whangārei from Friday to Saturday, so feel free to send me a message if you are keen to come along 🙂

30/04/2026

🚨 Key Immigration Changes That Will Impact Our Pacific Community 🚨

With Pacific Islanders making up a significant proportion of the overstayer population, these proposed changes are especially important to be aware of.

I work with many Tongan, Samoan, Fijian and Tuvaluan families who arrived in New Zealand on visitor visas and were able to get back onto a visa pathway or are currently awaiting their appeals to the Tribunal. The proposed changes mean that many people may lose the right to appeal to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, which is often the most appropriate avenue when there are no other options to remain lawfully, especially where there are strong humanitarian circumstances.

This is an appeal to my community to act now, or you may lose the opportunity to take your case to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal. There are important steps that must be taken before you can go through this process, so if this is something you are considering, it is critical that you act quickly.

You can read more about the proposed bill below - relevant sections are 15 and 26: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2026/267/en/latest/ ://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2026/267/en/latest/

29/04/2026

📣 What seemed simple turned stressful very quickly…

A past issue you thought was resolved could still appear on your police record. I am increasingly seeing this with Fijian police records following recent updates to their digital systems.

If you receive a letter alleging that you have provided false or misleading information, it is important to seek professional advice as these are serious matters.

I am experienced in handling these cases and presenting them properly as I have personally worked in technical and leadership roles within Immigration New Zealand, where I have both approved and declined character and medical waivers.

⚠️ Important for Fijian nationals
If you have had any issues in the past that you believed did not result in a conviction, I strongly recommend checking your police records before applying for visas.

I have also approached the Fijian High Commission for comment on this issue.

Image generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.

28/04/2026

📣 Recent updates from Immigration New Zealand:

📈 Median wage increased (from March 2026)
🌴 Lower visitor visa fees for Pacific Island applicants (from 1 June 2026)
🛠️ Changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (new pathways coming August 2026)
🇼🇸 Pacific Access Category & Samoan Quota ballots close this week on 30 April 2026

🔗 Red and amber lists:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/further-changes-to-the-skilled-migrant-category-to-come-into-effect-in-august-2026/

💡 There’s a lot happening in the immigration space right now. These changes are designed to better recognise skills, experience, and NZ qualifications, while also managing immigration risk.

22/04/2026

Another potential deportation case… and another reminder of how quickly things can spiral when the right advice isn’t given at the right time.

Why do my clients trust me? Because even if we’re not in the same city, they still choose me to work on their case over the many advisers and lawyers in their own region.

My client had previously engaged another professional and paid thousands of dollars upfront, yet she was not properly guided through the process. In this case, my focus was simply on stepping in, understanding her situation, and helping her move forward without adding further pressure.

I cannot guarantee the outcome of your visa. But what I can guarantee is this… I will fight to the best of my ability and ensure your case is presented properly and fairly considered.

My hope in sharing these stories is to reach someone who may be feeling scared, overwhelmed, or unsure about seeking help. You are not alone, and there are options, even when things feel urgent.

Disclaimer: AI-generated image

15/04/2026

Immigration NZ was ready to deport my elderly client if he failed to book a ticket home within a week ✈️⏳

I told him - don’t buy a ticket, because I’ve bought you something better… TIME ⏰

This grandfather couldn’t stop thanking me 🙏🏽 those two months gave us the opportunity to sit down and plan the next steps properly.

What does this show?
👉 Advocacy matters ⚖️
👉 Timing matters ⏳
👉 Who represents you matters 👩‍💼

This is not something a friend or family member can do for you ❌ you need someone who understands the immigration system, knows how to communicate with immigration officials, and most importantly, knows how to fight for you 💯

Because sometimes, pushing that little bit harder is what changes everything, and that’s advocacy. Advocacy means standing up for someone, using your knowledge and voice to fight for the best possible outcome.

Most importantly - - I gave the family a realistic picture. That it’s going to be hard and that even if I continue to fight for them, it may not be the outcome they hope for. That’s the reality of the immigration system.

Because real advocacy is not just fighting for you, it’s about being honest with you, even when it’s hard - - for both of us 🫶

10/04/2026

Similar to this article, it has recently come to my attention that someone is falsely claiming to be me, using a fake email address and a fake company to communicate with a client.

Please be advised that if you have not spoken to me directly, then it is highly likely a scam. Do not send any money or personal information without confirming the identity of the person you are dealing with.

It is an offence to commit fraud, and to provide immigration advice if you are not licensed to do so. So often I hear of people giving informal advice or assisting with a visa application, without knowing the consequences are severe.

Only use licensed immigration advisers, lawyers or others exempt. You can verify credentials at any time through the official Immigration Advisers Authority website.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DxbFDS6j8/

Halil Akbaba was caught when the real immigration official walked into the kebab cafe.