Lawyer 'disappointed' over Labour's timing of amnesty announcement

From , 6:03 am on 26 September 2023
Auckland lawyer Soane Foliaki represented a Tongan man who was arrested for overstaying in New Zealand. He spoke at a meeting on overstaying and dawn raids in Otahuhu, Auckland.

Auckland lawyer Soane Foliaki represented a Tongan man who was arrested for overstaying in New Zealand. He spoke at a meeting on overstaying and dawn raids in Otahuhu, Auckland. Photo: Lydia Lewis/RNZ

Immigration Lawyer Soane Foliaki who has been speaking out about dawn raid tactics told Lydia Lewis he is extremely disappointed with the timing of the Labour Party's amnesty announcement. 

Figures released to RNZ Pacific show dawn raids have been ongoing for at least eight years, even in the year of the official apology.

One of Soane Foliaki's clients had police knock on his door in the early hours of the morning, scaring his family before taking him into custody.