The sister of a woman dying in Australia has been permitted to fly from New Zealand to care for her in her final days.
Gail Baker's sister, retired New Zealand nurse Christine Archer, was rejected four times by Australia's Department of Home Affairs. She had been trying for three weeks to fly across the ditch before finally being granted permission on Friday.
Baker, who has ovarian cancer, told ABC Australia "it's something to stay alive for and stay well".
"I'm hanging on for the day that we can get together and have a good old chinwag. It means everything."
Archer said she hasn't seen her sister for six years.
"We have an awful lot of catching up to do, and time is limited and every day is precious," she told the ABC, adding getting approval to travel to Australia had been a "huge job".
"I am sure there are so many other people in the same position as I have been in and maybe now it will open the door for others to see their loved ones, sooner rather than later."
It's unclear why her request was declined so many times. On the Department of Home Affairs website, it says "you must have compelling or compassionate reasons" for travel. Compelling or compassionate reasons include "visiting or caring for a close relative who is seriously ill or dying".
ABC Australia says it approached the department for a response.
