I realize there are many threads with similar queries to mine, especially this one: http://www.enz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=43172, I have read a lot of info on these forums and the official INZ site, I have spoken with an immigration agent over the phone to New Zealand but I am wondering if there are are other options for our situation.
I am a dual Australian/ Polish Citizen wishing to move to NZ with his Polish partner. We met almost 3 years ago and we have been living together for over two years now in Poland.
I understand that I need to come over, get my NZ residency (via having current Oz passport) and establish myself by getting work and somewhere to live. The immigration agent told me that after I establish myself then my partner can submit the application in Poland and wait for approval, I asked him that if my partner came over with me whether she can apply onshore after I find work and somewhere to live but I understand that because some people have been known to overstay if they don't get approved, this is not possible to do. My partner has studied english for the last few years but she is not confident in working right away until she is exposed to the language everyday for a few months so a temporary work visa may be out of the question for her. So is there really no way for us to be together during these months while waiting for her visa approval?
I heard there is a variation to residence so that I could temporarily fly out of NZ and retain my NZ Residency. I would be happy to fly back and forth to Poland a couple of times to be with my partner while we wait for approval and help with submitting docs etc. but then I'm guessing I would lose my job in NZ and not be considered "established" any longer. Also I'm afraid there will be a "break" in our living together if we're living in separate countries, since immigration wants partners to be living together for 12 months continuously. I have income from investment properties in Australia which means I can support us in New Zealand at the start but I'm guessing this can not be a substitute for acquiring a job in the beginning.
Sorry for the pile of info I dropped but any help on how we can be together during this process will be greatly appreciated.