Pacific Access Category
The Pacific Access Category (PAC) allows for citizens of Tonga, Tuvalu and Kiribati (including their partners and dependent children) to be granted permanent residence in New Zealand.
Clients must have two years continuous residence at any one time since being granted permanent residence in New Zealand to be entitled to Young Parent Payment. Until they have met this requirement Young Parent Payment on grounds of hardship may be considered.
To assess a client's entitlement to Young Parent Payment on grounds of hardship, confirmation of the client's income and assets declared on the application for permanent residence is required from Immigration New Zealand.
Note if a client has permanent residence and already meets the two years continuous residence, assess the client for Young Parent Payment in the usual manner.
Additional requirements for the Pacific Access Category
Tongan clients
If the client is a citizen of Tonga, the client must normally live in Tonga and actually be in Tonga when they apply for permanent residence under this category. The client must also have been born in Tonga or born overseas to a Tongan citizen who was born in Tonga.
Kiribati clients
If the client is a citizen of Kiribati, the client must normally live in Kiribati and actually be in Kiribati or Fiji when they apply for permanent residence under this category. The client must also have been born in Kiribati or born overseas to a Kiribati citizen who was born in Kiribati.
Tuvalu clients
If the client is a citizen of Tuvalu, the client must normally live in Tuvalu and actually be in Tuvalu or Fiji when applying permanent residence under this category. The client must also have been born in Tuvalu or born overseas to a Tuvalu citizen who was born in Tuvalu.
For more information see:
