Immigration authorities in New Zealand have told South African chef Albert Buitenhuis, who weighs 130kg (286 pounds) he is too fat to be allowed to live in the country.
He now faces expulsion for his failure to have “an acceptable standard of health,” despite shedding 30kg since he moved to the city of Christchurch six years ago.
Buitenhuis and his wife moved from South Africa to Christchurch in 2007. At the time, the chef weighed 160kg.
His wife Marthie said that their annual work visas had been hitherto renewed with “very little problem.”
“They never mentioned Albert’s weight or his health once and he was a lot heavier then.”
But this summer the couple was told their work visas had been declined because of Mr Buitenhuis’ weight.
An immigration spokesman said Mr Buitenhuis’ application had been rejected because his obesity put him at “significant risk” of complications including diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
New Zealand has one of the highest obesity rates in the developed world, with nearly 30% of people overweight.
“It is important that all migrants have an acceptable standard of health to minimise costs and demands on New Zealand’s health services,” the spokesman said.
“The irony is that at the moment he weighs less than when we first arrived in New Zealand and also less than in his first medical, which was accepted,” his wife said.
The couple has appealed to New Zealand’s immigration minister.
His wife said: “We’ve committed no crime and did nothing wrong other than my husband being a foodie.”
