A former West Indies cricketer could likely be booted out of the country today if a last minute ditch to get a stay falls through.
Franklyn Rose, a batsman and right-arm bowler, who played 19 test matches for the West Indies team is facing deportation at 6pm this evening.
His legal representative Ramya Sathiyanathan from McClymont & Associates planned to lodge a request to suspend the deportation pending consideration of Mr Rose's "humanitarian circumstances".
She said Mr Rose suffered from depression which he claimed was exacerbated by his being detained by Immigration New Zealand and held in Mt Eden prison for the past five weeks.
Ms Sathiyanathan said his client acknowledged he was unlawfully in the country, having been first served the deportation order in 2014.
Mr Rose was originally granted a work visa when he was offered a position as a coach for the University of Auckland's Cricket Club - but has not had a valid visa since 2012.
In the interim he's worked as a volunteer cricket coach at a number of Auckland schools and with the Salvation Army.
Ms Sathiyanathan said if his client was permitted to stay he'd be a valuable member of society that would be keen to "contribute his expertise to the New Zealand cricketing scene".
Meanwhile, the Immigration Minister has welcomed figures showing the number of overstayers in the country is at its lowest level this century.
Latest estimates puts the number of overstayers at 10,848 - a considerable decrease of more than 1300 on the previous estimate of 12,162 in October 2014.
Michael Woodhouse claimed improved security at the border and decisive action to deal with overstayers had paid off.
"Better risk profiling during the visa application process, combined with an increased focus on encouraging overstayers to settle their affairs, pay their own costs for departure and leave New Zealand voluntarily has also contributed to the significant decrease in numbers."
