Mother-of-three Dinesha Amarasinghe sobbed as she was wheeled down sunny Queenstown streets yesterday afternoon, surrounded by her family.
Behind them, an estimated 400 people marched to show their support for the Sri Lankan Queenstown residents, who face deportation.‘‘It means so much to me,’’ she said.
"I did not think we could have this much support in the community but now I know we are not alone."
Dinesha Amarasinghe, her husband, Sam Wijerathne, and sons Subath (11), Binath (10) and Senath (8) have lived in New Zealand since 2010.
Mrs Wijerathne (42) applied for permanent residency for her and her family in April 2013 under the skilled migrant category. That application is on hold.
In May 2015 she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and her application for a work visa renewal was rejected. Mr Wijerathne's partnership work visa was cancelled and the family were ordered to leave New Zealand.
Since then, they have received an avalanche of community support, particularly from Queenstown Primary School, where the boys are popular pupils.
A humanitarian appeal has been lodged with the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, which means they can remain temporarily while it is heard, and more than $25,000 has been raised to pay for medical bills and to support them while they cannot work.
Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker has written to Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway asking him to make an exception to policy.Mr Walker organised yesterday’s march.
"I was hoping for 40 or 50 people," he said.
"When we left their house [at Lakeview Holiday Park, Man St] we had probably 40 people, which I was reasonably chuffed with.
"Then, as we came around the corner to Lakeview, there were hundreds waiting for them. It shows how much the community values this family."
Mr Walker said the family were contributing hugely to the community.
"I had a lady tell me on Thursday they had a bike day at the local school and one of the boys lent his bike to another boy and taught him how to ride because he didn’t have his own bike.
"Another one of the boys teaches the other pupils how to play cricket. These are incredible kids, winning spelling bees, everything."
The children have been in Queenstown for most of their lives.
"And their father is waiting, willing to work."
The marchers chanted "we support" and "let them stay" and one banner simply read "compassion".
Marcher Thvshe Ulhas (24) spoke to a tearful Mrs Wijerathne when the march reached its final destination in Village Green.
"I was telling her it’s a bad time but she has to be strong; it is going to happen.
"The support is amazing. I’m very happy to see people still have compassion for others."
Queenstown Primary School teacher Susan McIntyre was another marcher. She teaches two of the boys.
"We’re all in support of the family. The boys are fantastic at school. This is a humble, hardworking family and I think there’s a case because there was such a delay with their residency.
"The children and teachers are all worried."
Eight-year-old Eliah Guanzon said she wanted her classmate Senath to stay.
"He is my friend and he helps me in class."
Mrs Wijerathne said: "It has been an emotional day. I have had so many words of support, people saying we need to stay. It has been fantastic. I’m so happy we have this support."
