By Brett Corlett | Soft Landing Podcast – Episode 13
Introduction
Kia ora and welcome back to the Soft Landing blog. I’m Brett Corlett, and in this post I want to share one of the most raw and eye-opening interviews I’ve ever done on the podcast. In Episode 13, I sat down with my old school friend Jono, who bravely opened up about a mistake that nearly cost him and his family everything they had worked so hard for in New Zealand, a DUI (driving under the influence) charge.
Meet Jono
Jono and I go way back, we went to high school together in South Africa. He moved to New Zealand nine years ago with his wife and two young boys, leaving behind a successful career in media for a safer, more stable life. Like many of us, he hoped for a fresh start and better opportunities for his kids. What he didn’t expect was how one night and two drinks would turn his world upside down.
The Night That Changed Everything
It was a year-end party with his martial arts club. Jono had two strong craft beers, one of them an 8% double IPA. Despite feeling ‘fine’, he got behind the wheel. Minutes later, he was pulled over and blew over 600 micrograms per litre of breath. This wasn’t just a fine, it was serious. His license was suspended immediately, and he was facing a court conviction.
The Consequences
Jono was convicted, fined $600, and lost his license for six months. But the bigger blow came when he received a deportation notice. He had only recently received his residency and was within the two-year probationary period. Immigration rules are strict, any conviction during that time puts your future at risk.
Life Under a Cloud
For three years, Jono lived with the threat of deportation hanging over him. He couldn’t leave the country and had to prove he was still of good character. Eventually, Immigration NZ lifted the deportation notice, but the conviction meant he had to wait even longer, five years to apply for permanent residency.
The Personal Toll
Jono’s story isn’t just about law and immigration. It’s about shame, regret, mental health, and the weight of feeling like you’ve let your family down. He talked openly about the guilt he carried, the friendships that vanished, and how it nearly broke him. What kept him going? His wife’s unwavering support, his martial arts community, and eventually helping others through men’s mental health groups.
📢 Lessons Learned
Jono’s story offers important lessons for anyone immigrating to New Zealand:
1. Never drink and drive, especially as a resident waiting for permanent status.
2. Find your support system, community matters.
3. Be financially cautious, immigration is expensive and full of unknowns.
A Message of Hope
Today, Jono has his permanent residency and is thriving. He’s sober, focused, and more grounded than ever. His story is a powerful reminder that mistakes don’t define us, but how we recover from them does.
🎧 Listen to Episode 13
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