A church minister at the centre of an immigration inquiry involving people from Fiji who want residency in New Zealand said he is neither offering places under the Pacific Access Category nor charging for his services.
Kauapi Salanoa said he is helping more than 200 people whose immigration applications were filed months ago.
NZ Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman earlier said the scam involves offers of residency permits under the Pacific Access Category adding people from Fiji have not been eligible under the category since 2006.
Salanoa said he does not ask people for money but might get $10 or $20 if he helps get them residency.
He said he is not offering them places under the special access category.
New Zealand Police have confirmed they are investigating, but gave no details.
Under the Pacific Access Category, one has to register to the Immigration Department, with their names then drawn from a ballot to be invited to apply for residence.
Church minister denies offering residency permits
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