We usually only allow visitors to stay for nine months in an 18-month period. To work this out, we look at the last day that you intend to be in New Zealand (eg 1 July 2014), and count back 18 months from there (eg 1 January 2013). When you apply for a visa in one of our offices, we make sure that in that 18-month period (eg 1 January 2013 – 1 July 2014) you will not be spending more than nine months in New Zealand.