Sorry, mate, you're too fat: New Zealand kicks obese chef out of the country because at 20 stone six pounds he is too heavy
- - Albert Buitenhuis was told he was too heavy to stay in new Zealand
- - Weighs 20 stone six pounds, five stone less than when he moved there
- - He and wife Marthie are facing deportation from their Christchurch home
- - Albert is five feet ten inches tall and has a Body Mass Index of 40
By JAYMI MCCANN
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An obese chef has been told he is too fat to live in New Zealand, even though he has lost 66lb since moving there six years ago.
Albert Buitenhuis, who weighs 20 stone six pounds, was told that it may place demands on the New Zealand health services.
He and his wife Marthie are now facing deportation from their Christchurch home and are living with his sister in Auckland as they fight the decision.
Albert Buitenhuis, who weighs 130kg, was told that it may place demands on the New Zealand health services (Stock image)
New Zealand is the third most obese nation in the developed world, coming behind the US and Mexico.
Albert is five feet ten inches tall and has a body mass index of 40, making him clinically obese.
But, he weighed 25 stone two pounds when he arrived in New Zealand as he had quit smoking.
His wife Marthie said that his weight had not stopped Albert from working 40 hours a week as a chef.
She added that their annual visas have been approved every year since 2007 with little problem.
Marthie told The Press: ‘We applied for [them] year after year and there were no issues. They never mentioned Albert's weight or his health once and he was a lot heavier then.
‘We've committed no crime and did nothing wrong other than my husband being a foodie.’
He and his wife Marthie are now facing deportation from their Christchurch, pictured, home (Stock image)
But at the start of May the couple were told they must leave as Albert’s health was no longer acceptable.
Immigration New Zealand said that an applicant’s BMI must be under 35.
A spokesman said: ‘INZ's medical assessors have to consider to what extent there might be indications of future high-cost and high-need demand for health services.’
They claim that his weight increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer and fatty liver.
He also has a knee injury which could cost up to $20,000 to replace.
The Press reported that the couple’s doctor said he could bring his cholesterol and blood levels into the acceptable level within 26 weeks.
They have made an appeal to New Zealand Associate Minister of Immigration Nikki Kaye.
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