Obese man wins reprieve from threat of deportation

An overweight South African threatened with deportation from New Zealand because of his obesity has been granted a 23-month reprieve.

However, Albert Buitenhuis will not be entitled to any publicly-funded health care over the next two years, associate immigration minister Nikki Kaye said.

Buitenhuis — who now weighs 130 kilograms (286lb) — appealed to the minister two months ago when his work visa renewal application was rejected because of the demands his obesity could place on New Zealand’s health system.