Liberty Consulting Group Limited in Rosedale, Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Gill Bonnett
- Immigration consultancy continues while under investigation by immigration authorities
- Another complaint is lodged against immigration adviser
- She is accused of unlawful job selling
An immigration consultancy accused of being involved in unlawful job selling is still operating while under investigation by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
Authorities also say another person has made a complaint about immigration adviser Heidi Castelucci, in addition to four already lodged.
Castelucci - also known as Qian Yu - is married to Auckland-based Liberty Consulting Group's director and in a conversation recorded by a migrant, was heard offering a work pathway to residence in return for money.
The company has employed at least one migrant and also operates as a consultancy, supporting migrant clients through documentation processes.
Qian Yu/Heidi Castelucci has a provisional licence. Photo: Immigration Advisers Authority
Under New Zealand's work visa system (AEWV), businesses can usually only recruit migrants if Immigration New Zealand (INZ) decides they should be accredited, and Liberty's accreditation is currently suspended.
INZ, the Labour Inspectorate, the Immigration Advisers Authority and immigration compliance are all housed within MBIE.
An MBIE spokesperson said an employer's accreditation can be revoked if breaches of standards are found, and the outcome of the investigation into Liberty Consulting is due this month.
INZ did not directly answer whether an immigration consultancy could continue to operate when its accreditation is suspended or cancelled, but set out a firm's rights to carry on employing people.
"There is a due process followed when considering whether to suspend or revoke an employer's accreditation," said an MBIE spokeswoman.
"The cases are assessed individually, with all related business areas across MBIE, including INZ, working together.
"While under suspension the company cannot sponsor further migrants under AEWV, however they can employ a migrant on an open work visa or anyone who is a New Zealand citizen or resident."
Meanwhile, Castelucci left the country shortly after the allegations surfaced, but INZ said she has since returned to New Zealand.
"The Immigration Advisers Authority can confirm it has five current complaints about Ms Yu. Two complaints have been referred to Immigration Advisers Disciplinary Tribunal for determination.
"Ms Yu is currently unable to practice as a licensed immigration adviser as she holds a provisional licence and does not have a current supervisor or supervision agreement approved by the Registrar of the Immigration Advisers."
It is understood at least one of the five complaints about her is from a migrant who says she did not lodge a visa application.
She has previously told RNZ that it would be inappropriate for her to comment while the Immigration Advisers Authority was in progress.
Her husband Toby Castelucci, who runs Liberty Consulting in Rosedale, denies any wrongdoing.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
