http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10534938
Diplomatic intervention sees return of passport 9:11AM Tuesday Sep 30, 2008 Diplomatic intervention has seen the return of a New Zealand doctor's passport, confiscated while he was operating a free medical clinic in Indonesia. Derek Allen has been working in the area since the 2004 tsunami. His passport was seized this month after a summons from Indonesian mimmigration officials, who also threatened him with deportation. Margaret Thorpe, a spokeswoman for Dr Allen's TroppoDoc organisation said he received his passport late last week with "a big thank you" from the Indonesian government, after its diplomats in Wellington intervened, The Dominion Post reported. "He's very grateful for the embassy's help and pleased with the successful outcome," Ms Thorpe said. It appeared Dr Allen had broken rules when he flew his helicopter to rescue an Australian surfer a few weeks ago without the correct paperwork. Indonesian ambassador to New Zealand, Amris Hassan, met with government officials in the Indonesian capital Jakarta last week. He told them of the embassy's support for Dr Allen's work and convinced them to allow him to stay and continue his humanitarian work, the Indonesian embassy secretary said. Dr Allen made headlines in early 2004 when he brought twin babies Margaret and Karen Mandan from Vanuatu to Auckland for life-saving heart surgery. He also helped in Pakistan after the 2005 earthquake. - NZPA
