[2025] NZIACDT 55 — NA v Wharekura (Philip Leslie Wharekura)

Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal · decided 20 October 2025 · adviser: Philip Leslie Wharekura

The tribunal's published summary

Sanctions / adviser failed to lodge complainant’s work visa application and carelessly represented that it had been filed / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s442 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl2e, cl17a, cl17b, cl17c, cl19f, cl19g, cl19h / four heads of complaint involving breach of eight obligations in Code / adviser has acknowledged wrongdoing and made considerable efforts to improve practice / adviser’s medical circumstances provide some explanation but do not justify wrongdoing / third complaint upheld against adviser / adviser censured / no retraining, suspension or cancellation necessary in light of steps taken / adviser fined $2,500 financial penalty / adviser ordered to pay $2,281 in compensation, reflecting costs of visitor visa and emotional distress exacerbated by adviser’s misleading behaviour

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.