Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker says the possibility of immigration fraud in granting residency and citizenship to Auckland man Yang Liu is being investigated.
Mr Barker was responding last night to questions about the circumstances in which Mr Liu, also known as Bill Liu, was granted residency and citizenship.
In a Newstalk ZB interview last night, Ian Wishart, of Investigate magazine, said he had received leaked Department of Internal Affairs documents raising concerns about Mr Liu's true identity.
The minister said Mr Liu was granted permanent residency in January 2002 by an immigration officer.
His application for citizenship was made in May 2005, but was not approved until August this year.
Retiring Labour MP Dover Samuels said he supported the citizenship application of his "personal friend", Mr Liu.
Mr Samuels said Mr Liu's application was approved by Associate Minister of Immigration Shane Jones.
Interesting how all those involved are from the right wing faction of the Party.......
Mr Barker said this was done by Mr Jones under delegated authority.
