Hi.
I am from the USA and was on a 9 month Visitor Visa (not partnership just regular visitor visa). I used it to visit my husband (a New Zealand Citizen) back and forth over last year and it expired in November 2019. I applied for a Partnership Visa (when I got back to the states) and am waiting for its allocation but in the meantime I applied for a NzETA so that I can visit him shortly. The NzETA was issued in December 2019 but I am wondering if I will be stopped from entering New Zealand as I spent 9 months on and off visiting him last year and the NzETA says you can't visit more than 6 months in a 12 month period [before applying for a visa]. I do hold a round trip ticket.
I have messaged immigration twice, once in early December with no response, and just last week, again with no response. I know they are behind with the new structure taking place but I am worried I will be stopped from entering and would like to know before getting to the airport in about a week...
Would anyone in this forum have any info for me?
Thank you!
Ella