11/08/2020
G L Mallon
'[FYI request #13324 email]'
Ref: DOIA 2021-0172
Dear G L Mallon,
Thank you for your email of 15 July 2020, requesting the following information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the OIA):
Can you please advise:
- The number of outstanding onshore Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa requests yet to be
allocated to a Case officer.
- The oldest date of outstanding onshore Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa requests yet to be
allocated to a Case officer.
- The amount of onshore Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa requests that have been allocated to
Case Officers since the start of May 2020.
- How do you prioritize onshore Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa compared with the Skilled
Migrant Category (SMC), and Residence from Work Category (RFW) Resident Visas. I have read and
understand Immigration Instructions at A16.1 which sets out the priority criteria for residence class visas
and also the different tiers of priority for residence processing. However, A16.1 does not directly state
where Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa falls in priority when compared with SMC & RFW.
I am writing to advise you that the Ministry will provide a response but needs to extend the time available
to answer your request. The Ministry’s response will be with you no later than 12 September 2020. The
reason for the extension relies on s15A(1)(b) of the OIA - consultations necessary to make a decision on
the request are such that a proper response to the request cannot be made within the original time limit.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review of our decision to extend the time limit by the
Ombudsman. Information about how to do so is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
If you wish to discuss an aspect of your request, please contact Dongrui Pang at
[email address]
Yours sincerely
Stephanie Greathead
National Manager – Border & Visa Operations
Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
