Significant changes to the parent policy announced. The current policy will cease on 16 May 2012 and the new policy will take effect in July 2012. The major changes are

* Centre of gravity requirement removed
* Two-tier system - Tier one (high priority) and Tier two(low priority)
* Tier one - Sponsor must have minimum annual salary of NZ$65000 or parents must have
guaranteed annual income of NZ$39,890 (NZ$ 27,203 if one parent applies) or must
bring $5,00,000 to New Zealand as settlement funds.
* Tier two- Sponsor's annual income must be at least $33,675 and parents must not have
adult children in the home country.
* Parents with dependent children will not qualify
* Expression of interest- invitation to apply model introduced
* Must meet English language requirements or pre purchase English tuition
* Around 4000 visas to be issued every year
* Tier two EOIs will be selected only if places are available after selecting tier two EOIs