Dear Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment,

Kia ora,

I write to make a request under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) addressed to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) / Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

REQUEST 1 – PARENT BOOST VISITOR VISA: APPLICATION STATISTICS

The Parent Boost Visitor Visa opened for applications on 29 September 2025. Please provide the following data from 29 September 2025 to the date this request is processed:

1a. The total number of Parent Boost Visitor Visa applications received.

1b. Of those applications, broken down into the following categories:
- Number approved
- Number declined
- Number withdrawn by the applicant
- Number currently pending a decision

1c. The median and average processing time (in calendar days) for applications decided to date.

1d. The top five countries of origin of applicants (by nationality of the parent applicant).

1e. The number of applications that were declined specifically due to failure to meet:
- The financial/income threshold (sponsor or applicant)
- The health insurance requirement
- The health or medical requirement
(Where INZ records decline reasons in a way that allows this breakdown, please provide it. If not, please advise what decline reason data is held.)

REQUEST 2 – NUMBER OF MIGRANT FAMILY UNITS HOLDING RESIDENT CLASS VISAS IN NEW ZEALAND

I request data on the number of migrant family units in New Zealand where at least one member of the family holds a resident class visa (i.e., a resident visa or permanent resident visa).

For the purposes of this request, I ask that INZ/MBIE define and count a "family unit" as follows:

- A family unit is a principal resident visa holder together with any associated partner and/or dependent children linked to that principal applicant through an immigration application or recognised relationship, regardless of whether those family members hold a resident class visa, a work visa, a student visa, or a visitor visa.
- Each such grouping should be counted as ONE family unit, not as multiple individuals.
- For example: if a husband holds a resident visa, his wife holds a work visa, and they have one dependent child on a student visa, this counts as ONE family unit.

Specifically, I request:

2a. The total number of such family units currently in New Zealand where the principal applicant holds a resident class visa, using the family unit definition above.

2b. If INZ does not record data in this exact format, please advise:
- What data is held regarding resident visa holders and their associated family members, and
- The closest available equivalent figure or dataset that could assist in estimating the total number of resident-class migrant family units in New Zealand.

PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST

This information is sought in the public interest to assess the reach and accessibility of the Parent Boost Visitor Visa relative to the eligible migrant population in New Zealand. The Government has stated the visa's settings will be reviewed in 2027. This data is essential for migrant communities to meaningfully participate in and understand that review.

If any part of this request requires clarification or is to be refused in part, I ask that the remainder be processed in full and that I be advised of the specific grounds for any withholding under sections 6, 9, or 18 of the OIA.

Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to your response within 20 working days as required under the Act.

Nāku noa,
K Patel