21 September 2020
Anatoliy Goryachev
[FYI request #13605 email]
Ref: DOIA 2021-0444
Dear Anatoliy Goryachev,
Thank you for your email of 27 August 2020 requesting under the Official Information Act 1982 (the OIA), the
fol owing information:
“1) Going through previous FYI responses, I see that you keep posting us with weekly
statistics on the allocation numbers for priority and non-priority queues. The latest data we
have was for the week commencing 27 July 2020. Therefore, could I please ask you to provide
CO (thereafter CO – Case Officer) allocation figures for the following weeks (separately for
priority and non-priority queues):
a) Week commencing 03 August 2020 – Number of priority applications got CO / Number of
non-priority applications got CO
b) Week commencing 10 August 2020 – Number of priority applications got CO / Number of
non-priority applications got CO
c) Week commencing 17 August 2020 – Number of priority applications got CO / Number of
non-priority applications got CO
d) Week commencing 24 August 2020 – Number of priority applications got CO / Number of
non-priority applications got CO
2) What is the lodgement date for the oldest non-priority SMC/RFW application?
3) What is the total number of non-priority applications in SMC/RFW non-priority queue
currently awaiting for CO al ocation? Also, please provide number of applicants behind these
applications.
4) If this is possible - could you please provide breakdown on the number of offshore and
onshore applications (applicants) awaiting for allocation in the SMC/RFW non-priority queue.
5) What is the number of priority SMC/RFW applications currently awaiting for officer
allocation?
6) Do you process offshore priority SMC applications? Are these applications being prioritized
over non-priority SMC/RFW onshore applications?
7) Could you please provide monthly breakdown numbers on how many non-priority
SMC/RFW applications/applicants who lodged their applications last year (2019) are waiting
for CO allocation:

a) January 2019 - Number of applications waiting for CO allocation / Number of applicants
waiting for CO allocation
b) February 2019 - Number of applications waiting for CO allocation / Number of applicants
waiting for CO allocation
c) March 2019 - Number of applications waiting for CO allocation / Number of applicants
waiting for CO allocation
d) April 2019 - Number of applications waiting for CO allocation / Number of applicants
waiting for CO allocation
e) May 2019 -  Number of applications waiting for CO allocation / Number of applicants
waiting for CO allocation
f) June 2019 -  Number of applications waiting for CO allocation / Number of applicants
waiting for CO allocation
g) July 2019 -  Number of applications waiting for CO allocation / Number of applicants
waiting for CO allocation
h) August 2019 - Number of applications waiting for CO allocation / Number of applicants
waiting for CO allocation
i) September 2019 -  Number of applications waiting for CO allocation / Number of
applicants waiting for CO al ocation
j) October 2019 - Number of applications waiting for CO allocation / Number of applicants
waiting for CO allocation
k) November 2019 -  Number of applications waiting for CO allocation / Number of
applicants waiting for CO al ocation
l) December 2019 -  Number of applications waiting for CO allocation / Number of
applicants waiting for CO al ocation
8) When did Immigration New Zealand adopt the policy of application prioritisation and
when it was first shared with broad public?
9) What is the definition of "reasonable timeframe" for the SMC/RFW applications?
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 wil  be with you no later than 19  November  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.
The length of extension is due to the current situation in New Zealand relating to COVID-19. Resource and
capacity has been impacted by the agency working remotely and essential projects relating to the Covid-19
response.
I wil  respond to your request sooner if I am able to. If you would like to withdraw your request or contact us to
re-scope your request, please email [email address]
You have the right to seek an investigation and review of our decision to extend the time limit by the
Ombudsman at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or free-phone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Carley
Manager Operations Support - Border and Visa Operations
Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

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