Worried about police check...

Hi, I was wondering if there was anyone out there that has a criminal record that has either been granted PR or a work visa, or has even been refused? I have a criminal record, my husand doesn't.
I was charged in Feb 2002 for assault with actual bodily harm, I was fined and given 18 months probabation. I was not sent to prison or anything like that. I have never been in trouble since...I am really worried that this is going to ruin our chances of moving to New Zealand. Any of your stories or advice would be really welcome. Thanks, Charity :no

This, I think, is the relevant section of the law, and it looks as if you're OK, BUT I'm not a lawyer, so check officially and see.

Section 7 (1) of the Immigration Act (URL at NZIS)

Under section 7(1) of the Immigration Act we will not grant you a visa or permit if:

• you’ve been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for 5 years or more (this applies even if any of your offences have later been taken off the record),
• in the past 10 years you were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for 12 months or more,
• currently, you have a removal order from New Zealand in force against you,
• you’ve been deported from any country, including New Zealand,
• you’ve been involved in terrorist activities, or belonged to or supported any organisation involved in terrorist activities,
• it’s believed you’re likely to commit – or to assist others to commit – criminal or drug offences, or an act of terrorism, in New Zealand,
• it’s believed you’re likely – due to any international circumstances – to be a danger to New Zealand’s security or public order, or
• it’s believed you’re associated with an organisation or group that has criminal objectives or is engaged in criminal activities and for that (or any other) reason you are considered to be a threat to the public interest or public order of New Zealand.

Hi,
It looks like you may have to apply for a character waiver. I will give you the website to check but I will put some of it here as it is a bit difficult finding anything. Anyway. here we are
A5.25 Applicants normally ineligible for a residence visa or permit unless granted a character waiver

See A5.25 Effective 29/09/2003
See A5.25 Effective 05/06/2000
See A5.25 Effective 26/07/99

Applicants who will not normally be issued with a residence visa or granted a residence permit, unless granted a character waiver (see A5.25.1(b) below), include any person who has been:

convicted at any time of any offence against the immigration, citizenship or passport laws of any country; or
convicted at any time of any offence involving prohibited drugs; or
convicted at any time of any offence involving dishonesty; or
convicted at any time of any offence of a sexual nature; or
convicted at any time of any offence for which they were sentenced to a term of imprisonment (whether the sentence was of immediate effect or was deferred or was suspended in whole or in part); or
convicted (whether in New Zealand or not) of an offence committed at any time when the applicant was in New Zealand unlawfully or was the holder of a temporary permit or was exempt under the Act from the requirement to hold a permit, being an offence for which the Court has power to impose imprisonment for a term of 3 months or more; or
convicted at any time of any offence involving violence; or
convicted at any time during the last five years, of an offence (including a traffic offence), involving dangerous driving, driving having consumed excessive alcohol (including drunk driving and driving with a blood or breath alcohol content in excess of a specified limit) or driving having consumed drugs; or
in the course of applying for a New Zealand visa or permit, has made any statement or provided any information, evidence or submission that was false, misleading or forged, or withheld material information; or
at any time in a public speech or public comments, or public broadcast, or in publicly distributing or publishing a document:
argues that one race or colour is inherently inferior or superior to another race or colour, or
used language intended to encourage hostility or ill will against any person or group of persons on the basis of colour, race or ethnic or national origins of that person or group; or
has been, or is, a member of (or adheres or has adhered to) any organisation or group of people which (at the time of the person's membership or adherence) had objectives or principles based on:
hostility against people or groups of people on the basis of colour, race, or ethnic or national origins, or
an assumption that persons of a particular race or colour are inherently inferior or superior to other races or colours.
Note: When considering whether or not an applicant has committed an act that comes under A5.25 (i), (j) or (k) above, visa and immigration officers should establish whether, on the balance of probabilities, it is more likely than not that the applicant committed such an act.

A5.25.1 Action

Visa and immigration officers must not automatically decline residence applications on character grounds.
Officers must consider the surrounding circumstances of the application to decide whether or not they are compelling enough to justify waiving the good character requirement. The circumstances include but are not limited to the following factors as appropriate:
if applicable, the seriousness of the offence (generally indicated by the term of imprisonment or size of the fine);
whether there is more than one offence;
if applicable, the significance of the false, misleading or forged information provided, or information withheld, and whether the applicant is able to supply a reasonable and credible explanation or other evidence indicating that in supplying or withholding such information they did not intend to deceive the NZIS;
how long ago the relevant event occurred;
whether the applicant has any immediate family lawfully and permanently* (see F4.1.1) in New Zealand;
whether the applicant has some strong emotional or physical tie to New Zealand;
whether the applicant's potential contribution to New Zealand will be significant.
In the case of a person covered by A5.25(j) and (k) above, officers must consider, in addition to any relevant matters listed in A5.25.1(b) above, the following:
the length of time since the applicant publicly expressed the views, or was a member or adherent of the group or organisation, and
whether the applicant still holds the views or still belongs or adheres to the group or organisation, and any evidence of a change in views, and
the extent to which the applicant was involved in publishing or distributing the views, or the extent of involvement in the group or organisation, and
the nature of the views, or the nature of the group or organisation.
Officers must make a decision only after they have considered all relevant factors, including (if applicable):
any advice from the National Office of the NZIS, and
compliance with fairness and natural justice requirements (see A1).
Officers must record:
their consideration of the surrounding circumstances, (see paragraph (b) above), noting all factors taken into account, and
the reasons for their decision to waive or decline to waive the good character requirements.
Any decision to waive the good character requirements must be made by either:
a seconded visa officer; or
an officer with schedule 1 delegations.
Effective 15/12/2003
Website link is
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/nzis/...nual/index.htm

Go to index and then look for police certificates.
This is the best I can come up with I am afraid.

Dave and Caroline

Thanks for that! I'll have a look now