Taranaki Provides Safe Harbour From Memories of Indonesia Tsunami Terror

FAISAL SYAFFI swore he was witnessing the end of the world on Boxing Day as a massive earthquake and tsunami devastated his hometown of Banda Aceh. Now a new world has opened up for Mr Syaffi and his daughters -- in New Zealand. Mr Syaffi (33) and his daughters Eka (9) and Seilina (6) arrived on Wednesday night in Taranaki, where Mr Syaffi's sisters live, to begin a new life. The Indonesian family is understood to be the first tsunami victims to come to New Zealand. After months of battling bureaucracy and red tape, Mr Syaffi, Eka and Seilina have been granted three-month visitor visas. It is hoped the permits will be extended to a working visa so that the family can stay in New Zealand. A Taranaki engineering company is likely to job-test Mr Syaffi, a welder, in the hope that he will pass immigration requirements allowing him to work in the region. Mr Syaffi said yesterday that he and his daughters were very happy to be in Taranaki. Because his English is limited, Mr Syaffi's sister...

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