BMX star Peter Langton could soon be deported

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BMX star could soon be deported

3News NZ

Peter Langton's work visa has expired

Peter Langton's work visa has expired

By Jenny Suo

One of the heroes of New Zealand BMX fears he is going to be kicked out of the country.

Peter Langton has built a world-renowned dirt jump track in West Auckland.

But the South African is now facing deportation, and after a long fight to stay in the country.

This is where he wants to be – on the dirt jump track he built with the people he calls his family.

Peter Langton started working on the track almost a decade ago, after moving to New Zealand in 2000.

He took young bikers off the streets and gave them a place to ride.

“I've done nothing in this country other than work hard, make friends and try to be a part of the Kiwi culture,” he says. “That’s everything that I’ve done.

Now BMXers from around the world come here while New Zealand's top riders credit it for their success, including Jed Mildon – the first person in the world to complete a triple back flip.

But the track is not finished, and Mr Langton fears he will be sent back to South Africa, where he has no family or friends.

He says his latest plea for appeal against deportation is his last chance.

“Thirteen years of my life, thrown down the toilet,” says Mr Langton. “I can’t fathom how they justify what they're doing to me.”

His work visa has expired, so he's had to leave his job as a tree surgeon and has no income.

“I’ve lost a key employee from my business,” says his former employer, Alexander Ball. “I just can’t replace him. I don’t understand why Immigration can’t just give him a work permit so he can keep saving money. He is living off his own savings now and my business is suffering.”

He says he's trying to spend as much time as he can on his bike because any day now he could be on a plane

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Comments

3/07/2012 7:28:09 p.m.

rob wrote:

Yes like pete! im here in nz from the u.s and ive been taking care of a disabled person. ive never traveled so i dont know the laws. ive overstayed my visit and am also looking at deportation . wow!

21/06/2012 5:11:33 a.m.

david mgwaii wrote:

Bluey, I do not know "yuey", but the Peter I knew did not kill anyone as far as I know - and I knew him for several years in SA.

He was in the army and I was a conscientious objector when we met and became mates.

He was adopted by an elderly couple when he was a child and had no brothers or sisters as far as I know. They are long gone (dead) along with his aunt and uncle who lived in the same house and - as far as I can remember - also had no children of their own.

He is right when he says does not have any family here and most of his mates live elsewhere in the world.

I still live in SA in a small coastal surfing town and things are not as bad here as in the big city. If I had the chance tho I would leave cos SA aint the safest place to live.

20/06/2012 4:57:42 p.m.

david mgwaii wrote:

Yo pete. I was your mate way back when surfing and carrying on in pinetown. I know billso and joyce are long gone, but a few mates from back in the day still hang out in SA and surf. Hang in brah pawpaw stem

6/05/2012 8:49:29 p.m.

Dannielle wrote:

I have known Pete for about 8yrs, I have found him to be a loving,helpful,caring, extremely hard working person. I also know who BLUEY is, and he knows nothing about the life that Pete lived before he came to NZ,sure he had to do things in South Africa but that was purely to survive,he is NOT a menace to our society,instead he has contributed in an amazing unselfish way(something Bluey could learn) and that is by building those bike jumps,he has spent yrs of his life working on the trails,even in bad weather he still keeps digging,something I think has helped him stay sane.I too cannot understand why he could be deported when he is far better than alot of Kiwis I know. The laws need to change to help people like Peter, instead of allowing people into our country that commit benefit fraud,stay unemployed,commit crimes & are just an out right pain in the bum. Your a true survivor Pete and we back you 100%, wish you all the best my friend and I hope you too get to call NZ your home, you've earned the right :)

28/04/2012 10:41:18 p.m.

peter williamson wrote:

Seems like the guy works hard and actually contributes - attributes that a lot of kiwis should learn. The bureaucrats at immigration might take some lessons in common sense as well. God save us from idiots like these.

28/04/2012 7:55:43 p.m.

Bluey wrote:

You people are so full of it - he isn't a taxpayer - being in hiding means he was working under the table so no tax was paid...hello?? As for "No racial attrocities" tell that to the "blacks" he threw bags of snakes at as a joke... or the snakes he threw inside car/busloads of "blacks"...your right this guy is an absolute paragon of virtue!! But hey apparently its ok to kill a few "blacks" as long as you can ride a bike????? Nah stay out of NZ!!!!

22/04/2012 10:26:10 p.m.

Shane wrote:

I have known pete for the last 7 years, and could think of no one more deserving to be able to call nz home.He is a hard working good natured kiwi with an accent. I only hope that someone makes the right call and lets him stay.

22/04/2012 9:59:32 p.m.

Laura wrote:

Pete is a good person always friendly and willing to help out anyone if needed. I have 2 young boys and he enjoys showing them the bikes and playing with his dog zen (which he saved from an abusive owna. try telling me he not a nice guy). All he wants is to finally settle down and enjoy life, just like everyone else. Least he can say he works hard... many people in the country wouldnt know the meaning of hard work ! Catch up soon =))

22/04/2012 9:33:21 p.m.

Tim Williams wrote:

This is pathetic - We have someone here, who has given his time to help the community, and has been hardworking - Yet we chose to deport rather than support. What we need is more people like him, not less. I too met Pete many years ago, and spent a lot of time riding with him back then. He had a vision to do something for the community who befriended him, and stuck with it for over a decade - Putting the place on the map for the sport we loved. Look at all the people that get to stay in the country that do absolutely nothing for it. Pete is a Legend, he should be allowed to stay!! Good luck IZIT !!!

21/04/2012 9:50:15 p.m.

Mark Tomlinson wrote:

The New Zealand authorities should show some compassion and not force someone into a country where there is a strong probability of being murdered. Having known Pete for over ten years I can assure anyone reading this that he is extremely hard working individual and a genuine good guy. Sure he is missing some teeth but he is no criminal. All he wants is a safe place to live, work and pay taxes. Why not give him a chance?