Indian diplomat to NZ refuses to return

Dogra was stripped of his post as India's high commissioner after people complained about his performance.

Sacked Indian diplomat Harish Dogra is still refusing to return to India and is apparently applying to stay in New Zealand, as was disclosed on Tuesday.

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Immigration minister David Cunliffe told said that Dogra, whose visitor's visa expired two weeks ago, was in contact with the immigration department through a lawyer and any application to stay would be treated in the normal way.

Dogra was stripped of his post as India's high commissioner - equivalent to ambassador - to Wellington by the Indian government in March after Indians in New Zealand complained about his performance.

However, he caused a diplomatic stir by refusing to go home and remained in his official residence for some days even after a successor arrived in New Zealand.

He was then given a 10-day visa to settle his affairs and leave the country.

The new High Commissioner KP Ernest was quoted by a Wellington daily as saying, "We have excellent relations with New Zealand".