F2.5 How do partners of New Zealand citizens and residents qualify for a residence class
visa?
a. To be granted a residence class visa under Partnership Category applicants must
provide sufficient evidence to satisfy an immigration officer that they have been
living together for 12 months or more in a partnership that is genuine and stable with
a New Zealand citizen or resident.
b. For the purpose of these instructions 'partnership' means:
i. a legal marriage; or
ii. a civil union; or
iii. a de facto relationship
and 'partner' means one of the parties to such a partnership indicated in (i), (ii) and
(iii) above.
c. In each case the onus of proving that the partnership on which the application is
based is genuine and stable lies with the principal applicant and their New Zealand
partner.
d. An application under Partnership Category will be declined if:
i. the application is not supported by an eligible New Zealand citizen or
resident partner; or
ii. an immigration officer is not satisfied that the partnership on which the
application is based is genuine and stable; or
iii. the applicant and New Zealand citizen or resident partner have not lived
together for 12 months or more at the time the application is lodged; or
iv. the application is based on marriage or a civil union to a New Zealand
citizen or resident and either that New Zealand citizen or resident, or the
principal applicant is already married to or in a civil union with another
person; or
v. both the principal applicant and the New Zealand citizen or resident
partner cannot satisfy an immigration officer they comply with the
minimum requirements for recognition of partnerships (see F2.15); or
vi. the applicant(s) does not meet health and character requirements
(see A4 and A5).