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Rocky Horror Picture Show creator Richard O'Brien has been granted New Zealand permanent residency.
17 August 2010
O’Brien’s rocky New Zealand immigration ride over
After a lengthy struggle, Rocky Horror Picture Show creator Richard O'Brien has finally been granted New Zealand permanent residency.
O'Brien was born in Britain, but emigrated to New Zealand as a 10-year-old in 1952 and lived in Tauranga and Hamilton until he returned to London in 1964.
His siblings Robin Smith and Gillian Page live in Tauranga and his parents lived in the city until they died around four years ago.
O’Brian, 68, wanted to retire in New Zealand with his family, but New Zealand immigration rules meant he did not quality because of his age.
A campaign to ensure O’Brien could obtain residency and retire in New Zealand generated significant publicity.
Earlier this month Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson relaxed the usual age criteria and granted an exception to the need to have a job offer, but O’Brien still had to pass the standard health and police checks.
The New Zealand Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people with their New Zealand Visa applications to the New Zealand Embassy.
