The context
A small, well-organised immigration system with an unusual emphasis: partnership-based visas turn on living together in a genuine and stable relationship, and that is assessed literally. Couples who have never shared a home face the hardest path.
Entering the country
Depending on nationality, a visitor visa or an electronic travel authority. Partners of citizens and residents have a dedicated visitor visa category.
Marrying, and having it recognised
A marriage licence is obtained from Births, Deaths and Marriages, usually within days. No certificate of no impediment is issued; a statutory declaration serves abroad. See civil marriage in New Zealand.
Getting there
Almost all long-haul routes connect through Asia, Australia or North America. Budget a full day of travel from Europe.
Customs and family
Māori elements — karakia, waiata, the hongi — are commonly woven into weddings across communities. See wedding customs in New Zealand.
Points to watch
- "Living together" is the test, and marriage alone does not satisfy it. Evidence of a shared household is central.
- Plan a period of cohabitation somewhere, including in a third country, before applying.
- Keep documentary proof from the beginning: tenancy, joint accounts, correspondence.
Two absolute prohibitions, wherever you live
Sex tourism and any relationship with a minor are punished here as everywhere, and your own country's law follows you abroad. For sexual offences against a child, almost every state sets aside dual criminality and dispenses with any complaint: you can be prosecuted and tried at home whatever the local law says and whatever the local authorities do. See sexual offences committed abroad.
If you met online
The warning signs are the same everywhere: a very fast escalation, a systematic refusal of video, a request for money for an urgent reason, pressure to leave the platform. The rule holds here as anywhere: you do not send money to someone you have never met face to face. Someone genuine will happily take a video call, meet in a public place and introduce you to their family.
Spotting and reporting a romance scam — New Zealand
New Zealand: everything on this site
This country appears on 35 other pages of this site, across every section. Here they all are, in one place.
Sexuality
Health
- Assisted reproduction
- Abortion
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Contraception
- HIV and AIDS
- HPV
- Hepatitis B
- Mental health
- Pregnancy
Advice
Marriage
- Same-sex marriage
- Divorce
- Marriage
- Matrimonial property and inheritance
- Partnerships and cohabitation
- Religious ceremony
- Wedding customs and ceremonies
Names
Rights
- Adoption
- Copyright
- Data protection
- Fundamental rights
- Identity theft
- Image rights
- Online shopping
- Privacy
- Sexual offences committed abroad
- Speech and online harassment
Official sources and links
- Your own foreign ministry's travel advice — read it before each departure: it also conditions your travel insurance. Official portals: United Kingdom · United States · Canada · Australia · Ireland
- Your consular post there, or the one covering the country — civil status, marriage, emergencies; note the number before you go. Official directories: United Kingdom · United States · Canada · Australia · Ireland
- World Health Organization — health recommendations by destination
- Hague Conference on Private International Law — celebration and recognition of the validity of marriages