Google Co-Founder Larry Page disappeared a year ago, and we covered where he could be or what might’ve been the reason for his sudden disappearance. It turns out the billionaire was recently allowed into New Zealand.
As we all know, due to the pandemic, the New Zealand government has imposed travel bans and closed the borders. Page was allowed so that his son could receive urgent medical attention. His visit has also prompted the opposition to criticize Prime Minister Jessica Ardern.
The immigration minister Kris Faafoi addressed reporters, saying: “Page had applied for a medical exemption to make sure his son got the treatment that was required.”
According to NDTV, Health minister Andrew Little was also questioned in parliament about Page. He stated an application was approved in January for Page’s child, and it was an emergency because his child couldn’t be treated locally in Fiji. He also said, “I’m advised all of the normal steps occurred in this case.” Meanwhile, Ardren didn’t know that page was in New Zealand.
Immigration general manager of border and visa operations, Nicola Hogg, also said in a statement that Page “met relevant requirements” to be allowed into the country. In another statement, he said, “Mr. Page is not a permanent resident. Citizenship is a matter for the Department of Internal Affairs. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to comment further without a privacy waiver.” When asked if Page spent two weeks in quarantine, Hogg walked away.
One of the opposition leaders, David Seymour, said, “The Government has questions to answer about why billionaire Google co-founder Larry Page was allowed into New Zealand when desperate Kiwis and separated families can’t get through the border.” He also said that while he does have sympathy for Page’s situation, other people with the same situation couldn’t get in.
“I have had to tell them, ‘sorry, but there is no way you can get through the border; government policy will not allow it. New Zealanders stranded overseas who are desperate to get home deserve answers,” he added.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think that the importance that billionaires receive has gone too far? Let us know your opinions in the comments section below.
