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Chef denied visa renewal in New Zealand because he’s too fat

Chef denied visa renewal in New Zealand because he’s too fat

You're too fat to live here.

That's the message a South African man says he received from New Zealand immigration authorities who refused to renew his working visa on the grounds that his weight could make him a burden on the healthcare system, according to CBC News.

Albert Buitenhuis weighed 352 lbs when he moved to Christchurch in 2007, according to the broadcaster, and he and his wife were permitted to stay in the country each year since.

Now Buitenhuis weighs 286 lbs, but officials told him in May his obesity put him at risk of needing extensive medical care. Obesity increases a person's chance of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and some cancers.

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"People with a high [Body Mass Index] (over 35) are not likely to meet health policy due to the long term health risks associated with obesity," New Zealand's immigration website says.

Buitenhuis and his wife have appealed to New Zealand's immigration ministry to stay in the country, according to CBC.

A British couple sparked media discussion in 2007 after both husband and wife were denied entry into New Zealand because they were overweight, according to the Guardian.

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The husband, Richie Trezise, lost weight and emigrated successfully, but his wife had to stay in Britain and work off the pounds before she could join him.

More surprising, perhaps, is a case in 2004 when a British woman said Australia's immigration authorities told her to gain about 44 pounds or they would deport her because she was too thin, according to Yahoo! 7News.

Too fat, too thin or just right — some are failing to meet the Goldilocks standard for life down under.

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