Rules relaxed to bring in families

Immigration rules are being relaxed to make it easier for people to bring their partners and children into the country.

The government has announced it is lifting the cap on the number of residence places for family members.

It is not quite 'open the floodgates' but in future there will be no limit on the number of places for children and partners of New Zealand citizens, or people with residence visas.

Immigration Minister David Cunliffe says people will obviously have to prove they are who they say they are, and meet basic health and character requirements.

He says allowing families to be reunified in this way will add to the country's pool of skilled workers.

The limit on places for parents or siblings of residents is not changing.