8 March 2023
D.Bali
[FYI request #21766 email]
DOIA 2223-1720
Dear D. Bali
Thank you for your email of 8 February 2023 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following information:
“I have some questions for which I could not found answers anywhere. The following are my
questions:
1. How many applications are received and approved from Straight to residence which was
started on 5th September 2022?
2. Among received STR applications, how many applications are sent for third party check?
3. What is the timeframe for STR third party checks? I know there is no time frame but for one
of the OIA request, it was estimated 51days for One off 2021applications by NZSIS.
4.What is the actual number of staff working at INZ and how many are allocated to STR?
5. What is the actual number of staff working at NZSIS and how many are allocated to STR
applications?
6. Addition to the above questions, what is the average processing time for STR applications
with third party checks.”
On 27 February 2023 you were advised that MBIE transferred parts three and five of your request New
Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) and the New Zealand Police (Police) under section
14(b)(ii) of the Act, as the information is believed to be more closely connected with the functions of
those agencies.
Our Response
Question One As at 27 February 2023, the total number of Straight to Residence applications received since 5
September 2022 was 1,583. Of this, a total of 811 applications had been approved.
Question Two This part of your request is refused under section 18(f) of the Act as the information requested cannot
be made available without substantial collation or research.
In accordance with s18A of the Act, I have considered whether fixing a charge under s15 or extending
the time limit under s15(a) would enable the request to be granted but it is my view it would not. In
accordance with s18B of the Act, I have also considered whether consulting with you would remove the
reason for refusal, however, in my view it would not as to obtain the specific information would involve
manually checking each Straight to Residence application to determine if a third-party check was
undertaken or not.
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Question Four As at 14 February 2023, the total number of full time equivalent (FTE) immigration officers across the
network was 832.7 FTE. Of these, 10 immigration officers are assigned to process Straight to Residence
applications.
Question Six In line with the refusal of question two, this part of your request is also refused under section 18(f) of
the Act as the information requested cannot be made available without substantial collation or research.
We are not able to provide the number of Straight to Residence applications that underwent a third-
party check.
However, as at 27 February 2023, I can advise that 50 per cent of Straight to Residence applications were
processed within 31 weekdays and 90 per cent were processed within 70 weekdays.
I hope you find this information useful. You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the
Ombudsman of this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, please conta
ct [email address]
Yours sincerely
Michael Carley
General Manager (Acting) – Border and Visa Operations
Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
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