An unlicensed immigration advisor has been found guilty of 11 charges after families paid thousands for study and work packages, only to arrive in the country to find their applications had not been submitted.
Between March 2023 and May 2025, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) received five complaints from Chilean citizens living in New Zealand who had bought a "Study and Work in New Zealand" programme from Paola Walker-Rodriguez's companies, AIS.Walker and Walker Travel Education.
The packages were promoted as providing personalised advice, visa application support, and assistance with studying and living in New Zealand.
When most of the victims arrived in New Zealand, they found that their student visa applications had not been lodged with Immigration New Zealand, despite being told by Walker-Rodriguez that their visas were being processed. Without the visas, they were unable to access some of the study and work opportunities they had paid for and planned their move around.
Some victims also discovered that school or institute fees they had paid to Walker-Rodriguez had not been passed on to the education providers as promised.
On September 15, Paola Walker-Rodriguez was found guilty in the Auckland District Court of 11 of 12 charges under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.
This included providing immigration advice without being licensed or exempt, holding out as an immigration adviser when not licensed or exempt, and asking for or receiving a fee for providing immigration advice.
Walker-Rodriguez's co-defendant and husband, Mauro Donoso Godoy, was also found guilty on one charge of providing immigration advice without being licensed or exempt.
Bevan Yee, National Manager Occupational Regulation, said individuals convicted of offences under the Act can face penalties of up to seven years' imprisonment and fines of up to $100,000.
He said the case highlighted the "significant impact unlicensed immigration advice can have on people who are making important decisions about their future".
"In this case, individuals and families paid substantial sums of money and made important decisions based on advice and assurances that proved to be false," Yee said.
"This verdict reflects the seriousness of that harm and demonstrates that allegations of unlicensed immigration advice will be investigated and, where appropriate, prosecuted.”
Yee said licensed immigration advisers have specialist expertise, have met competency standards and follow a professional code of conduct.
"Taking a few minutes to check that an adviser is licensed can help protect people from financial loss and avoid significant disruption to their plans," he added.
The Immigration Advisers Authority regulates the provision of immigration advice in New Zealand and maintains the official register of licensed immigration advisers. People can search for an adviser’s name in the online register or ask to see an adviser’s digital licence certificate, including a QR code linking to their public profile on the register.
Immigration New Zealand's national manager for risk and verification, Aaron Smith, said the outcome reflected "strong collaboration across the immigration system".
"This case highlights the value of different parts of the immigration system working together to protect international students and their families, who may be navigating unfamiliar education and immigration processes.
Sentencing for Walker-Rodriguez and her husband was scheduled for early 2027.
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