Dear Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment,

I am seeking clarification on the staying conditions for the following visa types:

Visitor Visa: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zeal...
Partner of a Student Visitor Visa: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zeal...
Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zeal...

Background:
My mother is currently in New Zealand. She initially held a Visitor Visa for 6 months and then transitioned to a Partner of a Student Visitor Visa (valid from April 3rd to October 31st), which will extend her stay beyond 12 months in total.

I note that the Multiple Entry Visitor Visa states:
"If you have a multiple entry visa, you can visit New Zealand as a tourist as many times as you want and stay for a total of up to 6 months in a 12-month period."

Questions:
1. Eligibility for Multiple Entry Visitor Visa After Current Visa Expires
a. Can my mother apply for a Multiple Entry Visitor Visa immediately after her Partner of a Student Visitor Visa expires in October, given she will have already stayed in NZ for 12+ months (6 months on a Visitor Visa + 6+ months on a Partner of a Student Visa)?
b. Does applying inside vs. outside NZ affect eligibility or conditions?

2. Single vs. Multiple Entry Visitor Visa Duration
The Visitor Visa webpage states holders can stay for "up to 6 or 9 months."
For a Multiple Entry Visa, does the 6-month limit apply to:
A single continuous stay, or
Multiple shorter stays (e.g., 3 months per entry, totaling 6 months within 12 months)?

3. Extending a Multiple Entry Visitor Visa
a. If my mother holds a Multiple Entry Visitor Visa with a 6-month stay, can she apply for a Single Entry Visitor Visa shortly before expiry to extend her stay by 3 months?
b. Or must she leave NZ and apply for the Single Entry Visa offshore?

4. Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa Conditions
This visa allows stays of up to 6 months per visit and a maximum of 18 months within 3 years.
If she applies for this visa in October (before her current visa expires), will her prior 6-month stay on a Visitor Visa count toward the 18-month limit, but not her time on the Partner of a Student Visa?

5. Renewing the Partner of a Student Visitor Visa
a. If she applies for a new Partner of a Student Visa upon expiry of her current one, are there no cumulative stay limits (e.g., "6 months in 12 months" or "9 months in 18 months")?
b. Would her permitted stay then depend solely on the duration of the associated student visa?

Thank you for your time and assistance. I appreciate your guidance on these matters.

Yours sincerely,
William