The press note said that the Authority had refused to renew his licence to give immigration advice after he was convicted of electoral fraud.

As reported in our March 1 issue, the Auckland High Court sentenced Mr Singh on February 19 to five months of community detention and 200 hours of community work on charges relating to electoral fraud, the first of its type in New Zealand.

“The Authority takes dishonesty very seriously and has deemed Mr Singh unfit to hold a licence. IAA was set up to protect people receiving New Zealand immigration advice. This is done by issuing licences to people who are fit and competent to give immigration advice and by maintaining competency standards and a code of conduct for immigration advisers,” the press note said.

Under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, anyone giving immigration advice must have a licence unless they are exempt.

Exempt people include lawyers with a current New Zealand practising certificate and Citizens Advice Bureaux staff among others.

“The Authority is independent of Immigration New Zealand and cannot give immigration advice or influence a visa application,” the press note said.