Iaing

Hi everyone - have found browsing the group a great help and a fount
of information but now I have a specific question of my own.

My wife and I want to move to NZ early next year and are currently
just short of the passmark, stuck on 26:
Qualifications: 12
Age: 8
Work Experience: 3
Spouse Qualifications: 1
Settlement Funds: 2

However, my Mum is marrying a Kiwi in April, so can I then claim 3
Family Sponsorship points to get me to the magic 29 as he will be my
step-father and has been resident in NZ for the previous three years?
Or do only "blood" parents count? I've asked an immigration consultant
at an initial interview and they didn't know - can the board do any
better?! Would appreciate any help ...

lizzie

I don't know the answer to your question but would suggest if no-one else can answer this that you send NZIS an email via their website - you'll find you can email them a question via the "Quick Questions" section. They will then get back to you with an answer within 5 working days. I've used this several times, it is always nice to have an answer from "the horses mouth" so to speak!

Lizzie

Aisling

E-mail is better than phone too as you have written proof of the answer. Unfortunately some NZIS rules are open to interpretation and different officers have different ways of viewing things ;-)

Good luck!

Aisling

I understand that only blood relatives count, but I may be wrong. If I am right then get your Mum and new stepfather to move back to NZ then, when she has been here long enough, she can sponsor you. In the meantime there are rumours that the number of points required may reduce. Best of luck.

Don

Looks like only a blood parent (and probably also parent by adoption) would count:

G5.15 Family sponsorship
See G5.15 Effective 26/07/1999
a. Sponsorship by a family sponsor in accordance with this section must
be awarded 3 points.
b. A family sponsor must:
i be an adult sibling or adult child, or parent, of a principal
applicant*, or of the principal applicant's* spouse or partner
included in the application, and
ii be in New Zealand, and
iii be a New Zealand or Australian citizen or the holder of a current
residence permit that is not subject to requirements under s18A of
the Immigration Act 1987, and
63-4 Chapter 63 Residence
iv have been a New Zealand or Australian citizen and/or the holder
of a residence permit or a returning resident's visa for at least
three years immediately preceding the date the application under
the General Skills category policy is made*, and
v in each of the three 12 month portions within that three year
period, have spent a total of 184 days or more in New Zealand.

Iaing

Thanks Lizzie

Have taken your advice and will let the board know the verdict ....

Iain


lizzie wrote in message news:...
    > I don't know the answer to your question but would suggest if no-one
    > else can answer this that you send NZIS an email via their website -
    > you'll find you can email them a question via the "Quick Questions"
    > section. They will then get back to you with an answer within 5 working
    > days. I've used this several times, it is always nice to have an answer
    > from "the horses mouth" so to speak!
    >
    > Lizzie