F2.10 Definitions

F2.10.1 Definition of 'genuine and stable' partnership

1. A partnership is genuine and stable if a visa or immigration officer is satisfied that it:
   1. is genuine, because it has been entered into with the intention of being maintained on a long-term and exclusive basis, and
   2. is stable, because it is likely to endure.

F2.10.5 Definition of 'New Zealand resident' for the purposes of Partnership policy

1. New Zealand resident means a person who:
   1. holds a current New Zealand residence permit or current New Zealand returning resident's visa; or
   2. holds a valid Australian passport.
2. Despite (a) above, the following people are defined as New Zealand residents for the purposes of Partnership policy only where a visa or immigration officer is satisfied that New Zealand is their primary place of established residence at the time the application under Partnership policy is made and at the time of assessment of the application:
   1. holders of valid Australian passports who do not hold a current New Zealand residence permit or current New Zealand returning residents' visa;
   2. holders of current New Zealand residence permits that have been granted on the basis that the person is the holder of a current Australian permanent residence visa or a current Australian resident return visa;
   3. holders of current New Zealand returning residents’ visas issued to the holder of a New Zealand residence permit that was granted on the basis that the person is the holder of a current Australian permanent residence visa or a current Australian resident return visa.
3. Where (b) applies, evidence must be provided that the sponsor's primary place of established residence is New Zealand. The evidential requirements are set out at F2.20.5.

F2.10.10 Definition of 'eligible sponsor' for the purposes of Partnership policy

1. Eligible sponsor means a New Zealand citizen or resident (see F2.10.5 above) who:
   1. meets the character requirement for partners supporting Partnership policy applications as set out at R5.95; and
   2. has not previously supported or sponsored more than one other successful principal applicant under Partnership policy; and
   3. has not supported or sponsored any other successful principal applicant under Partnership policy in the five years immediately preceding the date the current application is made; and
   4. was not, in the seven years prior to the date the application is made, the perpetrator of an incident of domestic violence which has resulted in the grant of a residence permit to a person under the policy for victims of domestic violence (see S4.5).
2. If the sponsor was previously a successful principal applicant under Partnership policy then the sponsor will be considered to be an eligible sponsor only if:
   1. at least five years have elapsed since the date he or she was granted residence under Partnership policy; and
   2. he or she has not supported or sponsored any other successful principal applicant under Partnership policy.

      Note:
      ~ Applications under Partnership policy include applications made under the Family category Spouse and De facto partner policies in force before Partnership policy took effect.

Effective 05/11/2007