A Welsh couple hoping to begin a new life in New Zealand have been dealt a severe blow as Rowan Trezise, 33, has been deemed to be too fat by the New Zealand immigration authorities.

Her husband Ritchie, a 35-year-old submarine cable specialist who is currently in New Zealand, was forced to shed 2 inches from his sizable waistline in order to not be regarded as a potential burden to the New Zealand health service. However, his wife’s Body Mass Index (BMI) was too high and she now faces a desperate battle to loose weight before Christmas, at which point the couple will give up their fight to migrate to New Zealand should she not be accepted before then.

Although many people have voiced their belief that Mr. and Mrs. Trezise should be allowed to enter New Zealand, the government and health board maintain a strict stance on potential migrants with a BMI of over 25.

Robyn Toomath, a spokesman for New Zealand's Fight the Obesity Epidemic and an endocrinologist said that obese people should not be victimised, but agreed with the restrictions.

“The immigration department can't afford to import people who are going to be a significant drain on our health resources.

“You can see the logic in assessing if there is a significant health cost associated with this individual and that would be a reason for them not coming in.”