A foreign national will be deported after being pulled over by police in a traffic stop in Central Otago on Monday.
An Immigration New Zealand (INZ) spokesman said police spoke with the foreign national as part of a traffic stop in the Lindis Valley and during the course of the stop, it was determined the individual was in New Zealand unlawfully.
"As a result of this, the person has been detained for deportation."
INZ was taking the impacts of Covid-19 into account in its approach to compliance action and would only deport individuals when appropriate arrangements had been made regarding Covid safety.
All non-New Zealand citizens required a visa to be in New Zealand, the spokesman said.
"Anyone who does not hold a visa is unlawfully in the country, and they are under an obligation to leave New Zealand."
They were also liable for deportation under the Immigration Act 2009.
A person unlawfully in New Zealand had no lawful ability to apply for a further visa.
INZ’s investigations were continuing, and for legal and privacy reasons INZ could not give any further details about the case or the person involved.