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Move to New Zealand: Parent Policy

The Parent Policy is for people who want to live permanently in New Zealand and have an adult child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident.

Parents of New Zealand citizens or residents may be granted residence if:

• Their child is 17 years or over and sponsors the application;
• Their family's 'centre of gravity' is in New Zealand; and
• They meet all applicant requirements.

Your child must be able to meet all of the sponsoring requirements to qualify as a parent sponsor.

Under this policy, sponsoring children include:

• Biological and adopted children; and
• Your partner's children (whether or not your partner is included in the application) if that child has lived as part of your family unit for most of the child's life between the time your relationship with your partner began and when the child turned 17.

A sponsor's legal guardian and their partner, as well as a grandparent and their partner, may move to New Zealand under the Parent Policy if they meet the basic requirements.