Lars & Kim(34)

Kim and I met in Barcelona during a Spanish language course. She grew up in Auckland and worked as a physiotherapist. I was a graphic designer in Apeldoorn. After two years of long-distance — her in NZ, me in NL — we decided one of us had to move. Since Kim wanted to be closer to her parents and Auckland offered more career opportunities for us both, I chose to emigrate.

The Partnership-based Temporary Visa is for partners of New Zealand citizens or residents. You must prove your relationship is genuine, stable and durable — INZ wants evidence of living together, shared finances, communication and future plans. We provided photos, WhatsApp screenshots, shared bank statements, flight tickets from visits and statements from family and friends. The file was 80 pages thick.

After approval of the Temporary Visa (valid for twelve months, with full work rights) I could apply for the Partnership-based Resident Visa after two years of cohabitation. The second application was less intensive — INZ mainly wanted to see that we were still together and the relationship remained stable. After eighteen months I had my Resident Visa, with a pathway to Permanent Residence after two years.

Auckland was a culture shock, despite my many visits. The city is enormously sprawled — you need a car for everything. But the diversity is incredible: Ponsonby is hip and creative, Mt Eden is green and family-friendly, and the North Shore has the beaches. I found work as a senior designer at a branding agency in Parnell. The salary (NZ$90,000) is comparable to the Netherlands, but the tax burden is lower.

Integration was easier than expected, partly thanks to Kim's network. Her friends and family accepted me immediately. Kiwi culture is welcoming — barbecues (they call it "barbie"), watching rugby at the pub, and weekend trips to Waiheke Island or the Coromandel. I quickly learned that "yeah, nah" actually means "no" and "sweet as" is a compliment.

My advice to Dutch people in a relationship with a Kiwi: the Partnership-based Visa is the most direct route, but don't underestimate the evidence required. Start collecting documentation at least six months before departure. And be honest with INZ — they're strict on fraud detection but fair if your relationship is genuine. I now have Permanent Residence, Kim and I are married, and we're expecting our first child. Auckland is home.