I was spewing, like angry and powerless teenager Kevin on Harry Enfield. “I hate you! You’re not my government!” I wanted to shout. Why am I so upset? Because Ahmed Zaoui’s family must remain in hiding, in an incredibly difficult situation. The government will not allow them to join Ahmed Zaoui in New Zealand until his case is resolved. Given that it is the government who continues to drag the chain on this case, it’s a poor showing.

Ahmed Zaoui’s been in New Zealand getting on for five years, while the courts and the Security Intelligence Service (SIS) wrangle over the fine print. He has been declared a “threat to national security” by the SIS - but the definition of such includes blemishing our diplomatic interests. Hardly just cause to refuse political asylum.

The SIS’s threat assessment decision is to be reviewed, and finally, finally, that was to happen in August of last year. But the government could not get its case together in time for the hearing, and it was postponed indefinitely. The Crown is holding things up here, and it’s them who are now saying that the Zaouis must wait until it’s all sorted out before they can continue with their lives.

This is so frustrating!

Other posts by Katie Llanos-Small