Some people seem to get their residency approved quite quickly, however my wife and I are still waiting 8 months later, she's from China I'm a kiwi, same branch too at Manukau. We asked in June for updates as had not heard anything and was told it was pending a National Security Check. I think this is just absurd the amount of time it's taken so far, sure they have to go through their processes and take as much time as needed, but if it's the NSC holding things up then you start to wonder why other Chinese citizens I've heard about go through a NSC quite quickly but not my wife? I'm considering the possibility of approaching my local MP if thing don't start moving along with our application as we've got our lives ahead of us and this is just holding things up.