Let Acclaimed Iranian Director Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami into NZ

It's a big shame that the film maker can not go to her Film screening because she has just Iranian passport!

For a country that prides itself on the right to free speech this decision is very disappointing. The Documentary Festival provides an opportunity for New Zealanders to be educated, challenged and stimulated in a wide variety of subjects. Surely, the presence of an acclaimed Iranian film director can not be a threat to our Society. Let her come!

Rokhsareh is a talented young Iranian documentary film maker. Iranian communities all over the world would appreciate the screening of her documentaries and would look forward to meeting this young artist. She should be allowed to travel and expose her art and convey her message to her compatraiot.

Lets be mature about this. The lady is a proffessional in her career. The risk of her being an overstayer is parnoid and absurd. Grow up beaurocracy !!

This is absolutely ridiculous. Shame on you, Immigration NZ.

My girlfriend from China had a similar experience. She's a PhD who was accused of preposterous, unsubstantiated things, and it took my hiring a lawyer who worked for 1 year to enable her to visit me.

Please give a chance!

Shame on New Zealand! When Donald Trump loses the Presidential election here in the U.S., we'll send him to New Zealand where he'll feel right at home thanks to your discriminatory policies targeting Muslims.

the nz goverments bureaucractic discrimination in full swing guised as national security . i am a kiwi i am not suprised

Shame on immigration Nz for continuing racist profiling in this country for decades!!!!!!

This is an international embarrassment for NZ. We need to put pressure on the NZIS and Minister Woodhouse to change their decision now!

It's a Shame that Rocksareh can't come toNZ.

Art is borderless

There should be no border for art and artists.

Support independent filmmakers worldwide. Let Iranian Director Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami into New Zealand.

1) Documentary filmakers like most creatives by nature have to live on the smell of an oily rag, so having 'money in the bank' as a prerequisit shows how little immigration offices arouns the world understand the creative industries. 2) Family is who you make not who's blood runs through your veins. 3) Home is not a place, it is a feeling. Being tied to one location sufficates creatives (and many other people too!). 4) There are no boarders in space when earth is viewed from there. Boarder control is outdated. Just because 'you' like living 'there' does not mean every other person on the planet wants to live there too. We are global citizens, out trade is global, our communications are global, the ability to come up with new ideas sumiltaneously in different parts of the world - is global thinking. Why do we still feel the need to incorrectly think 'this is MINE' like some two year old? It's rediculous and outdated. Time for a global overhall, stop buying into the small minded fears of terrorism that keep us controlled and stupid - just like the fundermentalists what us to do! It is time to be bigger than these fear mongers and not make peoples freedom of movement curtailed due to ignorance and fear. Sharing of ideas, wisdom, knowledge, experiences is a basic human right. We have much to learn from each other, and much to offer to enrich each other's lives. Creative people are instrumental in this sharing and spreading of growth and awareness, the fact they have no money to speak of is proof of their dedication to our communities, our glibal communites. We Are All One.

an offending generalising. I am a victim of Australian immigration office too, they do not let my old aunt visit me in Australia in aprehention of her overstay. They do not know old people do not wish to overstay, nor are able to cope with such a cultural shock. They only want to visit their beloved relatives.

I am a NZ citizen and have lived here for over 30 years. This amazing woman is a member of my whanau. I will vouch for her. Please allow her entry.

This refusal is a disgrace and an embarrassment, and needs to be rectified immediately.

Its a disgrace. Someone at Immigration who made that decision must have had a bad day, or just does not think on the job.