[ad_1]
Lynn Grieveson / Press room
Associate Housing Minister Kris Faafoi says the government has no plans to build more social housing beyond its current targets.
The government is signaling that it has listened to families who have been divided by the country’s strict border measures by announcing a series of changes to allow many to be reunited.
Australian citizens or citizens of visa-exempt countries who live outside of New Zealand, but are partners of New Zealand citizens and residents, can obtain an exception to travel to New Zealand as part of the changes that will take effect early October.
They will be required to submit an exception request at the border and show that they are in a genuine and stable relationship, as well as undergo 14 days of isolation or quarantine administered upon arrival, Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said.
“Australian partners, if granted a border exception, will automatically receive a critical purpose visitor visa to allow them to travel to New Zealand, and will receive a resident visa upon arrival; in line with customary immigration policy for Australians, ”Faafoi said.
READ MORE:
* Coronavirus: changes in the border exception rule will reunite some families divided by Covid-19
* Coronavirus: Trans-Tasman hearts breaking in the wake of border closure
* Coronavirus: New Zealander heads to Japan to bring her husband home
Members from visa-exempt countries and their children who receive an exception at the border will be invited to apply for a six-month critical purpose visitor visa, and those who want to stay longer can apply for another visa.
The Government is making changes to the current border exception rules to allow some partners of New Zealand citizens and residents to meet in New Zealand.
“Many people living abroad, who are partners with New Zealand citizens and residents, are not covered by our current travel exceptions.
“As more New Zealanders return from abroad, we want to allow them to reunite with their loved ones here in New Zealand, while ensuring that only genuine associations have that right,” Faafoi said.
The government is also putting a lifeline on new residents who are stranded on the high seas, and they can maintain their residency status while border restrictions are maintained.
Currently, resident visa holders must travel to New Zealand within a specified time frame to activate their visa, a requirement they have not been able to meet with the border closures.
Those with expiring travel conditions will receive a 12-month extension to travel to New Zealand, while those with expiring travel conditions on or after February 2, 2020 will receive a new visa, also valid for 12 months.
“These changes will provide around 5,600 resident visa holders, who have invested a lot of time and money to obtain a resident visa, more certainty about their ability to come and settle in New Zealand in the future.
“The Government recognizes that these people have recently fulfilled the requirements to be granted residency. If it weren’t for the border closures forced by the Covid-19 pandemic, they would be living in New Zealand and contributing to our team of five million, ”Faafoi said.
