The New Zealand authorities have stressed that Former Fiji Sports Council Chief Executive, Alice Tabete is in the country legally after Tabete failed to return with the National Netball team this morning.

The Dominion Post reports this afternoon, that Tabete is refusing to return to Fiji after facing major corruption allegations, however NZ Authorities say she can stay on.

It further reports that NZ's Labour Department Deputy Secretary Mary Ann Thompson said while, Fiji soccer goal keeper Simione Tamanisau was banned from entering New Zealand because his father in law to be is in the RFMF, Tabete, whose husband is a Military reserve and son is an active soldier is not affected by the sanctions.

Thomson said the Department was not required to consider Tabete's son's occupation because government sanctions do not extend to parents of people associated with the military. She said Tabete was a frequent traveller to NZ and complied with the law and she is currently lawfully in New Zealand.

Tabete who was under investigation in relation to alleged abuse of office and mismanagement at the council office did not return with the Netball Fiji team. It has been confirmed that Tabete has stayed back in NZ and may now take off to the US.