I'll head to New Zealand as I don't need a visa to travel there. I'm persecuted in my home country and after having enough (really enough) I'm leaving soon. I'll enter New Zealand by airport.
Can I claim asylum after I leave the airport in New Zealand?
I'm worried that if I file my asylum case at the airport I might not represent my case appropriately; I need legal assistance for that. Is it okay if I file for asylum once I leave the airport or must I file for asylum within the airport?
Immigration reports that "You can claim asylum when you arrive at an airport or seaport in New Zealand by telling an immigration official or a member of the Police. You may hire a Licensed Immigration Adviser or lawyer to help you argue your claim". That means you ma when you entery, or you may wait until you've contacted an attorney. Making the claim and arguing it are not the same thing, and you are certainly allowed to get an attorney to help you frame the argument. They also say "The Refugee Status Branch (RSB) will process your claim. INZ won’t deport anyone while their claim is being processed. RSB will assign your claim to a refugee and protection officer (RPO). The RPO tries to decide your claim within 140 days from when you lodged it."This page details the Refugee Claimant Visitor Visa (which may not be relevant, but visa waivers are for short stays), and there is a booklet here on asylum claims.
There does not seem to be any safe country third party agreement.
