So the INZ call centre is saying that a certified copy of my passport is ok when applying to move from resident to permanent residence status, but this contradicts the official guide that says that people do have to send it in (INZ 1176) to provide evidence for time spent in NZ.
Maybe it's because I would be moving from an eVisa to an eVisa, so they don't really need the passport? And I suppose they have my movements in and out of the country on their computer system.
So does anyone have any recent experience with just sending in a certified copy for this type of application? And did INZ ask for the real passport to be sent instead?
My passport is my only form of official ID, so I don't want to be without it, if I can avoid that!