Don't Be Fat in NZ!

[RedGlitter]

I'm not sure what's worse...fat discrimination (do they also reject people with heart problems and other issues?) or that the husband willingly went to New Zealand without his wife. What if America tried to pull this crap?



New Zealand Denies Immigration to U.K. Wife Because She's Too Fat

Saturday , November 17, 2007







NEW YORK —

New Zealand immigration officials are keeping a U.K. wife from joining her husband "down under" because they say she is too fat, the Daily Mail reports. Click here to read the full report in the Daily Mail.

British citizens Rowan Trezise, 33, and Richie Trezise, 35, are living apart as she tries desperately to shed the pounds needed to comply with New Zealand guidelines that immigrants maintain a healthy BMI, or body mass index.

BMI is a weight-height ratio that estimates percentage of body fat. The New Zealand Immigration Service requires all applicants to undergo a complete medical examination, which includes body size measures like "waist circumference."

The regulations were supposedly put into place for budget reasons. The country's health care system cannot afford to open its doors to overweight immigrants, a spokesman for New Zealand's Fight the Obesity Epidemic explained to the Daily Mail.

Over half of New Zealand adults and nearly one-third of New Zealand children are already overweight or obese, according to the group. Those figures are expected to rise, as are the health problems associated with being overweight, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Richie Trezise managed to trim two inches off his waistline, the Daily Mail reports, bringing his BMI down and allowing him to take the first step toward the couple's dream of resettling in New Zealand.

Rowan Trezise is alone at home and still struggling.

In an interview with the paper, Richie Trezise admitted his wife is having trouble losing the weight — a difficulty which may force the couple to abandon their overseas plans and stay in the U.K. for good.

They've set Christmas as their deadline.

[Lon]

Good for New Zealand---they are a very small country of 4 million people and a National Health Service that is having problems. Why would that want to let some one into the country that poses a health risk (yes that's right), potential diabetes, high blood pressure, potential heart problems and a host of other potential and costly health problems. She can loose some weight and re-apply.

[RedGlitter]

So Lon, are they booting NZ citizens out of the country for being fat or having health problems or just discriminating against foreigners? Funny how it's ok for NZ but when America wants to rid itself of illegal aliens who refuse to work and usurp our services, we're discriminatory. :rolleyes:

[AussiePam]

I think Australia also has heath tests for would be migrants. Not sure of details. Why would any country not do this? Screening for disease or potential disease would seem sensible. It's the people already in a country that face paying the bills for newcomers who become a burden on the country's health system.



I don't know what tests the United States uses for would be migrants, but I'd be surprised if they were easier to crack than getting into Oz or NZ. I'm talking about legal migration here. Do you know, Red Glitter?

[Lon]

RedGlitter;721868 wrote: So Lon, are they booting NZ citizens out of the country for being fat or having health problems or just discriminating against foreigners? Funny how it's ok for NZ but when America wants to rid itself of illegal aliens who refuse to work and usurp our services, we're discriminatory. :rolleyes:


NZ can't do anything about the folks that are already there, but they can sure watch out for the immigrants. I myself must show that I have the means to pay for my health care for the time I am in NZ. Given my age, they don't want me as a potential drain on their heath resources, and I am trim.

As for the U.S.---that's another matter that has nothing to do with NZ.

[AussiePam]

There's a difference between people who are obese or ill and live in a country and have paid their taxes etc here to support the economy of their country - and foreigners who have no inherent rights to live in a new country. The first need to be looked after like any other citizens. We have no responsibility to look after the others - unless they are allowed into the country on some kind of compassionate or refugee grounds.



And I don't know enough about the American system, and make no comment there.

[Chezzie]

Should come to the UK, let anything and anyone in here :-5:-5:-5:

[Indian Princess]

Um, ah, should I put my ice-cream down now, feeling slightly guilty, (shaleerp...)

Ip sucks the spoon empty