G2.26 Principal applicants with specialist skills (01/07/2003)

G2.26.1 Ministers of religion

Ministers of religion who:

1. are members of religions and denominations recognised for the purposes of work visa or work permit policy (as listed in WG5.10 Ministers of religion, missionaries and members of religious orders), and
2. have held a permit to work as a full-time minister in New Zealand for the 3 years immediately before the application for residence is lodged and
3. do not hold qualifications of the standard required by General Skills category policy (see G3.1)

   may be awarded 10 points for qualifications if they have:

   1. a minimum of 3 years' full-time work experience as a Minister of religion, outside New Zealand, with a credible religious organisation (the experience must not be counted towards points for work experience); and
   2. • relevant qualifications of a minimum of 12 months' duration, or
      • relevant occupational training of a minimum of 12 months' duration, or
      • a combination of relevant qualifications and relevant occupational training of a minimum of 12 months' duration; and
   3. an offer of employment from a religious organisation in New Zealand affiliated to a national organisation; and
   4. a written letter of support from the relevant national organisation in New Zealand.

G2.26.5 Professional sports coaches

Professional sports coaches who have:

1. held a permit to work as a professional sports coach in New Zealand, and
2. completed 3 years’ full-time coaching at a regional or national level in New Zealand during the 3 years immediately before the application for residence is lodged, and
3. do not hold qualifications of the standard required by General Skills category policy (see G3.1)

   may be awarded 10 points for qualifications if they have:

   1. a minimum of 3 years’ full-time work experience as a professional coach in a relevant field of sport, outside New Zealand, with a credible organisation (the experience must not be counted towards points for work experience); and
   2. • relevant qualifications of a minimum of 12 months' duration, or
      • relevant occupational training of a minimum of 12 months' duration, or
      • a combination of relevant qualifications and relevant occupational training of a minimum of 12 months' duration; and
   3. an offer of employment from a sporting organisation in New Zealand affiliated to a national organisation; and
   4. a written letter of support from the relevant national organisation in New Zealand.

G2.26.10 Information Technology specialists

Information Technology (IT) specialists who hold a letter of support issued by the Information Technology Association of New Zealand (ITANZ) confirming that their skills are in short supply in New Zealand may be awarded 10 points for qualifications (without an NZQA assessment) if they:

1. 1. have a minimum of 3 years' full-time work experience in their field of specialisation (this experience must not be counted towards points for work experience), or
   2. have a tertiary IT qualification, with a minimum completion time of at least 2 years’ full-time study; and
2. provide evidence of some formal training in their area of specialisation; and
3. hold an offer of employment in New Zealand in that particular field of specialisation.

Effective 01/07/2003