When he arrived in
New Zealand last week, he simply wanted to smoke a cigarette and take a long walk down the street.
A refugee from
Iran, Boochani was held against his will at Australia’s notorious offshore
immigration camp on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea from 2013 until he was recently moved to the capital, Port Moresby.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Boochani said he had no interest in returning to Papua New Guinea, but wouldn’t be drawn on whether he’d seek asylum in New Zealand, pursue a claim to U.S. asylum or do something else.