The objectives of the Family category are to:

• permit New Zealand citizens or residents to be joined by their eligible spouses, partners, parents, siblings and children; and
• allow New Zealand citizens or residents to sponsor family members and help them settle.

Marriage or De Facto Relationships

You may be granted residence if you are:

• married to and living in a genuine and stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident; or

• living in a genuine and stable de facto relationship of at least two years duration with a New Zealand citizen or resident.

  A de facto partner is a partner in a heterosexual or same-sex relationship who has been living with their partner in a genuine and stable relationship for at least two years immediately prior to the assessment of the application.

  You and your partner may be called to an interview with the NZIS to assess if you are living together in a genuine and stable relationship. If you have been in a de facto relationship of at least 18 months duration you can apply for residence but your application may be deferred until you have been in the relationship for two years.

Parent

You may be granted residence if you have an adult child 17 years or over, who is a New Zealand citizen or resident living lawfully and permanently in New Zealand who is prepared to sponsor you, and

• if you have no dependent children - all of your adult children are living permanently outside your home country; or
• if you have no dependent children - you have an equal or greater number of adult children living lawfully and permanently in New Zealand than in any other single country, including your home country; or
• if you have dependent children - you have an equal or greater number of adult children living lawfully and permanently in New Zealand than in any other single country, including your home country. The number of your dependent children must be the same as, or less than, the number of adult children living lawfully and permanently in New Zealand.

Your sponsor will be responsible for if necessary, ensuring financial support and accommodation is available to you for at least your first 12 months as a resident in New Zealand.

Sibling/Adult Child

You may apply for residence under this category if you have a New Zealand citizen or resident parent, brother or sister who is living lawfully and permanently in New Zealand and who is prepared to sponsor you, and

• you are single (including widowed or divorced); and
• you have no children; and
• you have no other immediate family in your home country.

Your sponsor will be responsible for if necessary, ensuring financial support and accommodation is available to you for at least your first 12 months as a resident in New Zealand.

Dependent Child

You may apply for residence under this section if you are aged 19 years or younger, and

• you are single; and
• you have no children of your own; and
• you are totally or substantially reliant on your parents or guardians for financial support, whether living with them or not; and
• your parent(s) live lawfully and permanently in New Zealand; and
• • you were born or adopted before your parents applied for residence, and you were declared on your parents' application for residence; or
  • you were born after your parents applied for residence; or
  • you were adopted by your parents as a result of a New Zealand adoption or an overseas adoption recognised under New Zealand law.

If your parents are separated or divorced, you must provide evidence that the custody or visitation rights of a parent living outside New Zealand would not be breched by you coming to New Zealand.

Source: Immigration New Zealand

The Campaign for Human Rights
Box 122-70, Wellington, New Zealand 6038, Fax +64 4 472 2293

"The Campaign for Human Rights envisions a New Zealand where lesbian and gay people are ensured of their basic equal rights - and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work, and in the community."

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law against any discrimination” - Article 6, United Nations International Declaration of Human Rights