The Sri Lankan family of Sam Wijerathne, Dinesha Amarasinghe and their sons Senath, Subath and Binath were facing deportation after living in the country for eight years.
Their application for a work visa renewal was declined because of health issues — Mrs Amarasinghe has multiple sclerosis — and their residency application, submitted in 2013, is on hold.
But in its decision yesterday, the tribunal directed Immigration New Zealand to grant the couple work visas and their sons student visas for a year while their residency application is assessed.
Mrs Amarasinghe said the decision came as a huge relief.
"Now we can take one step forward, and we hope to take another step forward."
She and her husband were looking forward to returning to work, and their boys were "so happy they can stay" and continue their studies and sporting interests at Queenstown Primary School.
The decision was also good for her health, mentally and physically, she said.
"I don’t like staying home — I’m looking forward to going back to work."
Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker, who took up the family’s case in November, said the couple had worked "incredibly hard" to give their children a bright future in New Zealand, and had got the outcome they deserved.
"While today’s result is absolutely fantastic, the solution is only temporary and the family still needs to seek residency.
"We have won a battle but not the war, and I’ll continue to support them through this process and keep the pressure on the minister."
More than 400 people took part in a march through Queenstown in November to show their support for the Wijerathne family.
