A Kiribati man who claimed refugee status in New Zealand because climate change is flooding his homeland and is facing deportation has been denied bail.
Ioane Teitiota, his wife and three New Zealand-born children have gone through New Zealand's courts in a bid to avoid returning to Kiribati, which they say is being severely affected by climate change.
Their battle to rmain in New Zealand began four years ago and they are now appealing to the United Nations.
Mr Teitota came to New Zealand in 2007. He was remanded in custody until a further court hearing at the Waitakere District Court on Monday.
Judge Bidwell told Mr Teitiota's lawyer Michael Kidd that bail was not available under the Immigration Act and he should have requested release on conditions.
She gave Dr Kidd until midday tomorrow to file an application following the correct procedure, which the court will consider next week.
Earlier, Radio New Zealand reported that Dr Kidd would appeal to the UN's Human Rights Committee.
"Their right to life is going to be significantly impacted by going back to such a hostile environment," he told the broadcaster.
"There's a lack of fresh water, there's rising sea levels, a lack of ability to grow crops, danger from storms that are coming through, and frequent flooding."
Mr Kidd said the family faced a "serious life-threatening problem", especially the children, although the New Zealand courts had not agreed.
He said he was "hopeful" tha the family could stay in New Zealand and pointed out that while the country was taking refugees from Syria, we weren't so welcoming to Pacific refugees.
