Immigrants' sex secrets will stay in bedroom

People wanting their partners to gain New Zealand residency will no longer be asked for "evidence" of their sexual relationship, under immigration changes just introduced.

But the Immigration Service is coy over the delicate details, including what evidence it has sought.

Asked to explain the changes and the nature of the evidence sought, the Herald was given a written response.

"We have removed reference to sexual relationships from the policy after feedback from migrants and due to issues around people providing, and our staff assessing, the information.

"We give applicants a list of suggested ways they can prove their relationship is genuine. It gives the couple a guide to the kind of information we need in their application."

The list included, for example, marriage or civil union certificates, photographs of the couple together or proof they spent leisure time together.

The service said the reference to evidence of an exclusive sexual relationship was one way couples could prove they had a committed relationship.

It was originally included "because some migrants were not interpreting partnership as it was intended. For example, flatmates did not meet the definition of a partner".

What about the evidence though, the Herald asked? Was it true, as a source said, people had sent in photos of themselves sitting up in bed together? Were people, as another suggested, asked to describe their partners' underwear? Where did it all begin and end?

Immigration Deputy Secretary Mary Anne Thompson came to the phone.

"I don't think we need this any more. It caused unease clearly amongst migrants and confusion as well."

But did your staff ask for evidence and if so what? "I can't answer that because I don't know."