Unlicensed immigration adviser convicted after families lose tens of thousands on New Zealand study packages

Four families paid tens of thousands of dollars for New Zealand study and immigration packages, only to discover after arriving in the country that many of their student visa applications had never been submitted, according to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

AUCKLAND, 21 September 2026: An unlicensed immigration adviser has been found guilty of multiple offences after families from Chile paid substantial amounts for study and immigration services connected with moving to New Zealand.

Paola Walker-Rodriguez was found guilty in the Auckland District Court on 15 September of 11 of 12 charges under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.

The charges included providing immigration advice while not licensed or exempt, holding herself out as an immigration adviser while not licensed or exempt, and asking for or receiving payment for providing immigration advice.

Her husband and co-defendant, Mauro Donoso Godoy, was also found guilty of one charge of providing immigration advice without being licensed or exempt.

Sentencing is scheduled for early 2027.

Families bought ‘Study and Work in New Zealand’ packages

The case followed five complaints received by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment between March 2023 and May 2025.

The complainants were Chilean citizens living in New Zealand who had purchased a “Study and Work in New Zealand” programme through Walker-Rodriguez’s companies, AIS.Walker and Walker Travel Education.

According to MBIE, the packages were promoted as providing personalised advice, assistance with visa applications and support for people wanting to study and live in New Zealand.

The complaints were investigated by the Immigration Advisers Authority and ultimately resulted in the prosecution.

Visa applications had not been lodged

For the families involved, the problems became apparent after they arrived in New Zealand.

MBIE said most of the victims discovered that their student visa applications had not been lodged with Immigration New Zealand, despite having been told by Walker-Rodriguez that the applications were being processed.

Without the expected visas, they were unable to access some of the study and employment opportunities around which they had planned their move to New Zealand.

Some victims also discovered that money they had paid to Walker-Rodriguez for school or institute fees had not been passed on to the education providers as promised, according to MBIE.

The experience left families facing financial losses as well as significant disruption after making major decisions about relocating to another country.

‘Advice and assurances proved to be false’

Bevan Yee, National Manager Occupational Regulation, said the case demonstrated the consequences people can face when immigration advice is provided unlawfully.

“In this case, individuals and families paid substantial sums of money and made important decisions based on advice and assurances that proved to be false,” Yee said.

“This verdict reflects the seriousness of that harm and demonstrates that allegations of unlicensed immigration advice will be investigated and, where appropriate, prosecuted.”

Immigration NZ stresses importance of system safeguards

Immigration New Zealand says the prosecution also demonstrates the importance of cooperation between agencies responsible for protecting migrants and international students.

Aaron Smith, National Manager Risk & Verification for Immigration New Zealand, said people moving to another country can be particularly vulnerable because they are dealing with unfamiliar immigration and education systems.

“This case highlights the value of different parts of the immigration system working together to protect international students and their families, who may be navigating unfamiliar education and immigration processes,” Smith said.

Immigration New Zealand works with the Immigration Advisers Authority by sharing information and supporting enquiries and investigations where appropriate.

Smith said that collaboration played an important role in preventing harm to migrants and maintaining the integrity of New Zealand’s immigration system.

Migrants urged to check their adviser before paying

Authorities are using the case to remind anyone seeking New Zealand immigration advice to verify who they are dealing with before handing over money or making major decisions.

Under New Zealand law, people providing immigration advice generally need to be a licensed immigration adviser or an exempt person under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.

The Immigration Advisers Authority maintains an official online register where people can search an adviser’s name and confirm their licensing status.

Licensed advisers can also provide a digital licence certificate containing a QR code linked to their public profile on the official register.

Yee said taking a few minutes to perform that check could prevent serious financial and personal consequences.

“Licensed immigration advisers have specialist expertise, have met competency standards and follow a professional code of conduct,” he said.

“Taking a few minutes to check that an adviser is licensed can help protect people from financial loss and avoid significant disruption to their plans.”

Illegal immigration advice can carry severe penalties

Providing immigration advice unlawfully can result in significant penalties in New Zealand.

MBIE says individuals convicted of offences under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act can face penalties of up to seven years in prison and fines of up to $100,000, depending on the offence.

Yee said authorities would continue acting against people found to be operating outside the law.

“The law is clear and we will continue to take action where people provide immigration advice unlawfully.”

The case is now due to return to court for sentencing in early 2027.

For migrants and international students considering New Zealand, the case carries a straightforward warning: check that the person providing immigration advice is legally authorised to do so before paying fees or relying on their advice for major decisions.

Source: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment / Immigration Advisers Authority, 21 September 2026. Reporting and presentation by Webfit News.