<p>Google co-founder Larry Page was allowed into New Zealand despite its closed border, officials confirmed Thursday, reportedly seeking hospital treatment for one of his children.</p>.<p>The billionaire's visit prompted criticism from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's political opponents, who demanded an explanation for why he was permitted to enter despite coronavirus travel restrictions.</p>.<p>Immigration New Zealand general manager of border and visa operations, Nicola Hogg, told AFP that Page "met relevant requirements" to be approved entry to New Zealand.</p>.<p>"Mr Page is not a permanent resident. Citizenship is a matter for the Department of Internal Affairs. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to comment further without a privacy waiver."</p>.<p>Hogg did not address the question of whether Page spent two weeks in quarantine, as required of people entering the country, nor the reason for the visit.</p>.<p>The billionaire had reportedly been based on an outlying Fijian island during the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>.<p>New Zealand's opposition ACT Party called on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's government to be more open about his visit.</p>.<p>"The Government has questions to answer about why billionaire Google co-founder Larry Page was allowed into New Zealand when desperate Kiwis and separated families can't get through the border," ACT leader David Seymour said.</p>.<p>"Larry Page was allowed into New Zealand but the government won't give any details about why he was allowed in."</p>.<p>Page visited New Zealand when a child required hospital treatment, the Stuff news website said, quoting New Zealand businessman Stephen Tindall who knows Page personally.</p>.<p>Tindall said Page had left New Zealand "quite a while ago".</p>.<p>The ACT Party's Seymour said while he had sympathy for Page's situation, there were numerous people with similar issues who could not get in.</p>.<p>"I have had to tell them, 'sorry, but there is no way you can get through the border, government policy will not allow it'," he added.</p>.<p>"New Zealanders stranded overseas who are desperate to get home deserve answers."</p>.<p>Page founded Google with Sergey Brin in the 1990s and is listed by Bloomberg as the sixth-richest person in the world with a reported wealth of $121 billion.</p>
<p>Google co-founder Larry Page was allowed into New Zealand despite its closed border, officials confirmed Thursday, reportedly seeking hospital treatment for one of his children.</p>.<p>The billionaire's visit prompted criticism from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's political opponents, who demanded an explanation for why he was permitted to enter despite coronavirus travel restrictions.</p>.<p>Immigration New Zealand general manager of border and visa operations, Nicola Hogg, told AFP that Page "met relevant requirements" to be approved entry to New Zealand.</p>.<p>"Mr Page is not a permanent resident. Citizenship is a matter for the Department of Internal Affairs. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to comment further without a privacy waiver."</p>.<p>Hogg did not address the question of whether Page spent two weeks in quarantine, as required of people entering the country, nor the reason for the visit.</p>.<p>The billionaire had reportedly been based on an outlying Fijian island during the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>.<p>New Zealand's opposition ACT Party called on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's government to be more open about his visit.</p>.<p>"The Government has questions to answer about why billionaire Google co-founder Larry Page was allowed into New Zealand when desperate Kiwis and separated families can't get through the border," ACT leader David Seymour said.</p>.<p>"Larry Page was allowed into New Zealand but the government won't give any details about why he was allowed in."</p>.<p>Page visited New Zealand when a child required hospital treatment, the Stuff news website said, quoting New Zealand businessman Stephen Tindall who knows Page personally.</p>.<p>Tindall said Page had left New Zealand "quite a while ago".</p>.<p>The ACT Party's Seymour said while he had sympathy for Page's situation, there were numerous people with similar issues who could not get in.</p>.<p>"I have had to tell them, 'sorry, but there is no way you can get through the border, government policy will not allow it'," he added.</p>.<p>"New Zealanders stranded overseas who are desperate to get home deserve answers."</p>.<p>Page founded Google with Sergey Brin in the 1990s and is listed by Bloomberg as the sixth-richest person in the world with a reported wealth of $121 billion.</p>