A supporting partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident who:

• meets the character requirement for partners supporting Partnership Category applications (see below)
• has not previously supported or sponsored more than one other successful principal applicant on the basis of partnership, or
• has not supported or sponsored any other successful principal applicant on the basis of partnership in the five years immediately preceding the date the current application is made, or 
• was not the perpetrator of an incident domestic violence which has resulted in the grant of a residence class visa or residence permit to a person under policy for victims of domestic violence in the seven years prior to the date the application is made.

If a supporting partner was a successful principal applicant on the basis of  partnership with a New Zealand citizen or resident they will not be considered eligible unless:

• at least five years has elapsed since the date they were granted residence on the basis of the partnership, and
• they have not supported or sponsored any other successful principal applicant on the basis of partnership.

Character requirements for partners

Partners supporting a residence application under the Partnership Category are not eligible if, in the seven years before the date application is made, they have been convicted of any offence involving domestic violence or any offence of a sexual nature (unless they are granted a character waiver).

Evidence the partner meets character requirements

A partner (aged 17 and over) supporting a Partnership Category application must provide police certificates from all countries (except for New Zealand) he or she has lived in for 12 months or more in the seven years prior to the date the application is made.

See how to obtain a police certificate for information on what to do. If for some reason you cannot get a police certificate, contact the Immigration New Zealand branch at which the principal applicant will be lodging their application.

Questions and answers

What is considered to be ‘domestic violence’ for the purpose of the Partnership Category?

For the purpose of this policy, ‘domestic violence’ is defined in s.3 of the Domestic Violence Act 1995. This Act is available on the internet at www.legislation.govt.nz.

What evidence of good character does the New Zealand partner need to provide?

Supporting partners aged 17 years or older must provide police certificates from all countries (apart from New Zealand) that they have lived in for 12 months or more in the seven years prior to the date the application is made.

If a New Zealand police certificate is required Immigration New Zealand will obtain this on their behalf.

What happens if the New Zealand partner does not meet the character requirement for partners?

A residence Partnership Category application will not be automatically declined on the basis that the New Zealand partner does not meet the character requirement for partners. Immigration officers may consider granting a character waiver.

How will a character waiver be considered?

Immigration officers may take into account the surrounding circumstances of the application to decide whether a character waiver should be granted or not. The circumstances would include but not be limited to:

• the seriousness of the offence, and
• whether there is more than one offence from one or more events, and 
• how long ago the relevant event occurred.