A South African man facing deportation from New Zealand for being too fat has said he agrees with the policy but feels he should be allowed to stay.

Officials are worried that Albert Buitenhuis, who weighs 20 stone, could one day rack up large bills for the taxpayer and have decided he no longer has "an acceptable standard of health".

An Immigration New Zealand spokesman said Mr. Buitenhuis was rejected because his obesity put him at "significant risk" of complications including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and obstructive sleep apnoea.

"It is important that all migrants have an acceptable standard of health to minimise costs and demands on New Zealand's health services" said the spokesman.

Mr. Buitenhuis told 3 News he "totally agreed" that migrants should not be allowed to over burden health services - but said nothing was mentioned when he first came to New Zealand.

The 50-year-old chef and his wife moved from South Africa six years ago - a time when he says he weighed 30 kilogrammes more.

Despite having their visa renewed multiple times they ran into trouble when officials considered their application for permanent residency.

"6 years down the line it's not fair to me," Mr. Buitenhuis told New Zealand television.

"We sold everything to come here. It wasn't just done willy-nilly." Mr. Buitenhuis says he has not had any expensive medical treatment since moving to New Zealand but admits that he will need a knee operation at some point.

The couple, who are now unable to work, are relying on friends and family while they appeal to immigration officials.