A Welsh woman is banned from entering New Zealand to join her husband who has been hired there. Rowan Trevize’s visa had been denied because the government deemed her as too fat. Her husband has already left to New Zealand after struggling to lose two inches through crash diet in order to meet the requirement.“When the couple first tried to gain entry to the country they were told that they were both overweight and were a potential burden on the health care system. Reference”
If Rowan still can’t lose weight in December, her husband has already stated that he would abandon the idea of moving to New Zealand and would come back to Wales.
New Zealand officials uses BMI to assess people weight require that immigrants should not be burden for the country’s health care. I completely agree with New Zealand’s policy on this issue, what’s the point of letting migrants enter when they can become potential burden for health care.
Another issue is the usage of BMI as measurement tool. Muscular people with high BMI can potentially fall into the ‘overweight’ category due to high muscular mass. Of course some would say that she should be allowed to enter with the consequence of not receiving any health care and insurance.
What do you think about such policy? Do you think she should be allowed to enter?
Being denied to enter NZ coz too fat ? First time I heard that.. :)
I like to come here.. because I want to diet too..
Obese or overweight people shouldn't be stereotyped as unhealthy and burdensome in the first place.
But America should let all immigrants in and let illegals stay even if they are known criminals. They wont burden or economy or welfare system.
But good for the kiwis, although you should be able to forgoe and still enter
I agree with New Zealand's policy, although I think it should be slightly amended so as to allow obese people into the country but not offer them health care until they meet the BMI requirements. All countries should start qualifying migrants this way.
When the government is a Nanny state, people have to bow to her wishes. Such is the situation you mention. How fat can I be? How white can I be? How British can I be?
I'll leave you with a quote from Samuel Adams, American Patriot: "If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest for freedom, go home and leave us in peace. We seek not your council nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen."
I think they should ban anorexics too :P.
[...# Anonymous said... November 20, 2007 7:26 AM
Obese or overweight people shouldn't be stereotyped as unhealthy and burdensome in the first place...]
The problem with that line of thinking is that obese people ARE unhealthy. It's a fact. Burdensome, that's another story.
That is awful! Just because you're overweight doesn't mean you're not a good person. Imagine if they did that in the US. We'd all have to be shot and killed. Or move to Canada.
why cite Adams? after all, blacks and women could not vote!
But NZ is simpoly saying if you are truly overweight then you are a drain on our health services and we don't need this. Come back when you are ready for our standards and what we offer. We do not have to have an open door just ecause you decide to come to us.
I think she should get a visa but not allowed to get free healthcare! The situation is sad however, husband and wife separated because of excessive weight!
i think thats prejudice!!!
this is like a joke. however, if they're really obese, then they might have serious health issues and complications.
so maybe NZ is doing the right thing. both sides have their own point of view, dependin on how you see it.
Well I think we are all agree to one point, that it's a sensible policy. Taxpayers won't be so happy to see that they are literally paying immigrants who become drain for the health care. But I think she should be allowed to enter although exempted from health care after all her husband has already made it through.
I want to go to NZ, now! I'm sick of public transport being chock full of huge sweaty fat people stuffing their faces with twinkies and the like.