A 102-year-old great-grandmother has emigrated to New Zealand in time for her 103rd birthday on Boxing Day, prompted by the news that the care home she was living in is to close down.

Louise Sydes arrived in Auckland from Kent last month, after her daughter, who already lives in New Zealand, appealed to the New Zealand Immigration minister to grant her mother a three-year visa. Ms Sydes was originally denied a long-term New Zealand visa, instead being offered a visitor’s visa lasting six months.

After securing her visa, Ms Sydes gave away most of her possessions and when she arrived at the airport to begin the 11,000-mile journey to her new home, discovered her air ticket had been upgraded to business class. She arrived in Auckland with just a small suitcase, asking for “a decent cup of tea”.

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