Is this some kind of new trend where migrants move to New Zealand for a limited period with the expressed aim of being granted PR only to go back home afterwards? What kind of work would the person in cheeryking's example be doing that lasts 19 months 'just to be on the safe side'? Furthermore, why does anyone think that NZ should grant them an indefinite right to live and return to NZ after a short 19 month visit? NZ has a very generous PR system, much more generous than most other countries where PR visas tend to expire if the visa holder leaves the country. I fear that if the present system is seen to be abused, the rules may very well change in the future.