Perez to appeal loss of his visa

Embattled Taranaki rugby rep Paul Perez will appeal an immigration order to deport him to Samoa in a desperate bid to stay in New Zealand.

Perez, 23, was served with the removal order last week when Immigration New Zealand revoked his work permit after he was convicted earlier this month of domestic assault.

The former Samoan sevens rep is also facing an assault charge after police allege he attacked a doorman outside the alleged victim's property in New Plymouth last month.

The Taranaki Daily News cannot comment on the case while it is before the court but can reveal Perez disputes the police allegations and plans to defend the charge. He is due back in court next week.

Perez has spoken out about his impending deportation and the circumstances surrounding the domestic assault.

While accepting there was no excuse for him to strike his former partner, he says he has been unfairly criticised by anti-domestic violence groups and public opinion after he was handed down a fine for the assault conviction..

He maintains he never choked the woman and hit out after being severely provoked at the end of an extremely volatile relationship, something his mentor Kevin Jones, former academy manager at Taranaki rugby, considers the shy Perez was not adequately equipped to cope with.

Perez said he was desperate to stay in New Zealand and hoped a successful appeal of the deportation order will give him the opportunity to prove he is not a violent thug. "I just want to get things back to where they were," he said, referring to when he first arrived in the region in 2006 and subsequently took up a professional contract with the Taranaki Rugby Football Union.

He plans to meet TRFU chief executive Mark Robinson this week to discuss his future and seek his support in an appeal.

Mr Robinson said last week he could not comment on the situation without knowing what was happening.

Perez said the public perception that he was a violent abuser was wrong.

"I have made some mistakes which I do regret. Now I just want a chance for a new start and I hope people can accept that," he said.

Immigration New Zealand would not comment on Perez's case but outlined its policy in relation to removal orders for someone convicted of a criminal offence.

In a brief statement, the Government agency said if any person who was a holder of a temporary permit was convicted they may have their work permit revoked.

"From the date the notice of revocation comes into effect there is a period during which the person may appeal to the Removal Review Authority.

"If they do not appeal, or an appeal is unsuccessful, then the person may be eligible for removal."

Mr Jones believes Perez could present a worthy case to Immigration New Zealand, given there were people well aware of his circumstances and prepared to speak on his behalf.

"People that know him are asking how the hell could this happen and how has it got to this stage?"

Taranaki's top try scorer in 2008, Perez has made 36 appearances for his province. During his interview he revealed he could not now consider a number of overseas contracts since his domestic assault conviction as he would not get entry visas to play in Europe.

- © Fairfax NZ News