[Rusty]

Hi all, Does anybody have experience with this?

This is actually a question for my sister, which may benefit us in the long run.

My mum and step dad are looking at moving to NZ and be sponsored by my sister, who is able to do this next year. The question is about the operation manual and the definition of the weight of gravity. They say that step children count if they "have lived as part of the family for the majority of their lives".
Now, does lived mean 'in the house' lived or just does it include being part of the family (by marraige definition) and have their own adult lives?

There is 1 sister in NZ, us currentky in the UK - gravity even = good.
But, 2 step brothers also in the UK, but never lived in the same house = ??

I hope this makes sense and that someone has a similar experience that can help.

Many thanks

[KerryS]

I would get your sister to contact NZIS to clarify this point.
If they are your stpe-dad's children then that may well make your centre of gravity the UK and they wouldn't be able to be sponsored.
But, NZIS may look at it as only your mother being the parent and your step-father her husband and so you would have no centre of gravity... Confusing and needs proper clarification from a case officer or someone who has read the small print in the manual...

[Rusty]

Thanks KerryS
I think step children count, but it's the 'living as part of the family' bit I am unsure of.
Does living actually mean in their house at some point? or something else

I just hoped somebody here may have had / heard of a similar situation. This is, after all, the well of all knowledge..