[2025] NZIACDT 54 — SC v Wharekura (Philip Leslie Wharekura)

Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal · decided 15 October 2025 · adviser: Philip Leslie Wharekura

The tribunal's published summary

Sanctions / widespread failings in communications with client and INZ / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl17a, cl17b, cl17c, cl19e, cl19h, cl19i, cl19k, cl19l, cl19m, cl19n, cl22, cl26aiii, cl26aiv, cl26b, cl26c, cl26d / extensive wrongdoing, resulting in 12 breaches of 16 standards in the Code / moderate gravity of offending / most serious breaches involved grossly inadequate services agreement and failure to comply with client’s instruction to remove partner from residence application / adviser bears responsibility for decline of application notwithstanding INZ’s misapplication of policy / adviser acknowledged wrongdoing and made considerable efforts to improve practice / adviser censured / no retraining necessary in light of steps taken / adviser fined $2,500 financial penalty / adviser ordered to pay $8,240.44 in compensation, reflecting costs of IPT appeal and relocation.

Read the full decision (PDF, Ministry of Justice)

This page reproduces the tribunal's own published summary as a fair report of public tribunal proceedings; the linked decision is the authoritative record. A decision is not itself a finding of wrongdoing — some complaints are dismissed. Complainants are anonymised by the tribunal. Complaints about advisers go to the Immigration Advisers Authority.