Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse says he has confidence in border checks even though a man wanted for murder in Switzerland managed to lived in New Zealand under a false identity for 13 years.
Michael Woodhouse Photo: RNZ / Chris Bramwell
The man is accused of killing a 23-year-old woman in Basel in December 2000. He was arrested yesterday and appeared in the Auckland District Court.
Police say the man arrived in New Zealand in 2001 using false identification and travel documents. He was granted citizenship in 2004.
Mr Woodhouse said today that he cannot comment on the details of the case, as it is before the courts.
"I'm satisfied that we have a very good immigration system that is set well to allow the right people to come in and to prevent those that we don't need to come in."
A spokesman for the Department of Internal Affairs said checks are carried out with police in New Zealand and overseas on all residents applying for citizenship to confirm their identities.
Police said they have been working with Swiss authorities through Interpol since confirming the man's true identity in 2011.