Language Problems

Do you ever have those weeks when it feels like life is hurtling by at such a fast pace and you are just managing to cling on by the tips of your fingers? That is what the past few weeks have been like in the Brunt household. We submitted our Residency application two weeks ago and have been waiting hopefully and somewhat apprehensively for any news from Immigration. This week we get a phone call to say that we can collect our original documents (birth certificates and the like) from Wellington as they have finished with them. Yippee I think, maybe they are going to make a really early decision. No such luck. When I collect the documents there is a letter inside saying that they need the Police Certificate from Belgium translated into English. Fair enough I suppose but I think it was unfair to let me get my hopes up!

Then on arrival home I find a message from our Case Officer with a long list of other documents that they now require. Proof of a stable relationship (marriage certificate and the same surname on all documents is not enough), Academic transcripts (degree certificate not enough) and letters from previous employers stating start dates and finish dates (contracts of employment and staff appraisals not enough!).

Now I can understand they need to be thorough and I suppose none of what they asked for is unreasonable, although it is a repetition of evidence that we already sent. It just makes me feel like they are unwilling to believe the evidence as first presented and that they in fact think we are presenting ourselves as something that we are not. It is not nice to feel that you have to prove who you are and have someone doubt that what you are saying is the truth.

However our Case Officer had ample opportunity to find out all about us when she rang the other day. My three year old answered the phone and had a long conversation with her while I was hanging out the washing. I have no idea what she chatted about but based on previous experience she probably got our life stories. Three year olds like to tell everyone in great embarrassing detail all about their lives and exactly what their Mummies and Daddies have been doing.

Nevermind - I am sure it will all be worth it in the end!


I think Immigration will have a hard time not giving my eldest residency status. She is already sounding so much like a Kiwi I am having trouble understanding what she says. We no longer have fish and chips it "Fush and Chups". Ten is pronounced "tin" and everything is "Awesome!". I am still waiting to hear that things are "sweet as" but I am sure it will not be long before that is added to her reportoire.