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Hi all, I am in a bad situation, can I get some help from you guys please?

I completed a Bachelor of Engineering in University of Auckland in 2006 and with 2 years job offer from my department, I started working as a software developer and gained a year of work permit (started from beginning of March 2007 till 16th March 2008). I could get my work permit extend to 31st March 2009 when a police certificate is provided. However as I tried to obtain the fingerprint required from the NZ police at the beginning of this year, they told me that its fully booked and I need to wait until 28th February.

So I managed to get my fingerprint on 28th February, applied for my police certificate from my home country on 5th March and put my application into the drop box on 10th March. I understand that it would take a short period before my police certificate arrive to the Immigration NZ but the delay was far too long and my application was finally lodged on 31st March and the immigration NZ used act 35a to consider my application, unfortunately they declined my application saying that "the circumstances of my case do not support granting a further permit" while I still have a year contract in NZ. I talked to a lawyer and she thought that there must be a mistake and suggest me to lodge in an application again under act 35a. I don't mind paying a lawyer a bit to get the job done as I spent my last 7 years here in NZ and everything I have is here.

You guys have any opinion on this? What should I do? I know it is not wise to apply for the police certificate late... but this is far too severe.

Thank you so much for reading my story... and please help...