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Evidence · Immigration

Immigration: questions, answers and evidence

Read all 797 original answers and the tables behind the findings. The 27 missing answers are from the China comparison on three platforms.

questions
143
captured answers
797
missing responses
27
answers collected
15–20 October 2026

01

Every question, with its answers

Each question was written as a voter would ask it and went to all four assistants. Some were also asked from a town. Open a question to read every answer to it in full.

Showing 20 of 143 questions

Show all 143

02

The tables behind the study

Every figure on the study page comes from these tables. They are CSV files, which open in any spreadsheet.

  • Complete AI answers

    answers.csv

    One complete original answer, with the question, platform, country setting and migrant profile.

    question_id, surface_code, location_ref, result_id, prompt_id, platform, scan_id, collection_panel, question_text, response_text

    797rows

    Download complete ai answers (CSV)

  • The questions we asked

    question-catalogue.csv

    One question with the migrant profile, wording and purpose.

    question_id, question_version, group_id, case_id, asked_for, output_id, module_ids, category, wording_style, prompt_set, collection_panel, comparison_id, exact_text, distinguishing_facts, stated_facts, tags, status

    143rows

    Download the questions we asked (CSV)

  • Planned questions, platforms and countries

    execution-assignments.csv

    One question, platform and country we planned to collect an answer from.

    question_id, collection_panel, location_name, location_ref, surface, surface_code

    824rows

    Download planned questions, platforms and countries (CSV)

  • The 27 missing answers

    missing-cells.csv

    One expected answer that was not collected.

    question_id, collection_panel, location_name, location_ref, surface, surface_code

    27rows

    Download the 27 missing answers (CSV)

  • Locations named for each migrant profile

    location-by-persona.csv

    How often a place was named in the twelve New Zealand answers for each migrant profile.

    persona, place, answers, denominator, wording_styles, wording_count, surface_count

    342rows

    Download locations named for each migrant profile (CSV)

  • Locations named across question wordings

    location-by-wording.csv

    One profile, platform and place, showing which versions of the question led to an answer naming the place.

    persona, surface, place, answers, denominator, wording_styles

    1,368rows

    Download locations named across question wordings (CSV)

  • Locations named by collection country

    location-by-region.csv

    One place and country setting; the China comparison has nine answers on Google AI Mode only.

    region, place, answers, denominator, surfaces

    304rows

    Download locations named by collection country (CSV)

  • Eight countries on Google AI Mode

    location-ai-mode-eight-regions.csv

    One place and country across the same nine questions on Google AI Mode.

    region, place, answers, denominator

    304rows

    Download eight countries on google ai mode (CSV)

  • Matched local and overseas answers

    matched-region-answer-pairs.csv

    A New Zealand answer alongside the same question and platform using another country setting.

    region, surface, persona, question_id, result_id, nz_result_id, same_place_set, jaccard, added_names, omitted_names

    261rows

    Download matched local and overseas answers (CSV)

  • Topics explicitly raised in the answers

    signals-by-output-platform.csv

    How often selected words and phrases appeared, by topic and platform.

    output, surface, signal, answers, denominator

    1,120rows

    Download topics explicitly raised in the answers (CSV)

  • Topics raised for each migrant profile

    signals-by-persona-output.csv

    How often selected words and phrases appeared, by migrant profile and topic.

    output, persona, signal, answers, denominator

    1,876rows

    Download topics raised for each migrant profile (CSV)

  • Website addresses in captured answers

    captured-answer-links.csv

    Web addresses saved in the original answers, with image and file links identified.

    question_id, result_id, prompt_id, surface, surface_code, region, output, persona, wording, panel, words, raw_page, transcript, url, domain, host_class, image_or_asset

    2,003rows

    Download website addresses in captured answers (CSV)

  • Extra table: links excluding images and files

    captured-links-by-platform.csv

    One platform across the same 143 New Zealand questions. The table excludes image and file links; the main Sources section counts those links.

    surface, denominator, answers_with_links, answers_with_govt_links

    4rows

    Download extra table: links excluding images and files (CSV)

  • Captured answer lengths

    platform-answer-length.csv

    One platform across the same 143 local questions.

    surface, answers, median_words, mean_words

    4rows

    Download captured answer lengths (CSV)

  • Recorded websites by answer

    sources-by-answer.csv

    Each website recorded as a source for an answer, with the page addresses and number of statements linked to the website.

    question_id, result_id, prompt_id, surface, surface_code, region, output, persona, wording, panel, words, raw_page, transcript, domain, publisher, claim_count, source_urls

    1,462rows

    Download recorded websites by answer (CSV)

  • Recorded sources and their original claims

    source-claim-ledger.csv

    Sources attached to individual statements, with the original answer, quotation and source passage.

    narrative_id, claim_id, question_id, result_id, prompt_id, surface, surface_code, region, output, persona, wording, panel, words, raw_page, transcript, domain, url, source_passage, claim_quote, quote_exact

    3,105rows

    Download recorded sources and their original claims (CSV)

  • Answers with sources and answers with links

    source-answer-coverage.csv

    Each New Zealand answer, showing whether sources were recorded and whether the answer text contains a web link.

    question_id, result_id, prompt_id, surface, surface_code, region, output, persona, wording, panel, words, raw_page, transcript, associated_websites, had_sources, literal_url_answer

    572rows

    Download answers with sources and answers with links (CSV)

  • Website publisher classifications

    source-publisher-classification.csv

    Each website, the type of organisation behind the website and the reason for the category. Unconfirmed types remain Other.

    domain, publisher, basis, source

    332rows

    Download website publisher classifications (CSV)

  • Tone toward each place

    place-sentiment-ledger.csv

    One named place in one answer, with the positive, neutral, negative or mixed label, supporting passages and reason. All 108 New Zealand answers about where to live were reviewed.

    result_id, question_id, prompt_id, persona, assistant, region, place, stance, paragraph_numbers, supporting_passages, display_passage, reason, answer_sha256, reviewed_on

    630rows

    Download tone toward each place (CSV)

  • Facts supplied in each question

    prompt-reporting-eligibility.csv

    Every question, with corrected descriptions of the facts stated and limits on interpreting its answers.

    question_id, reviewed_on, prompt_sha256, original_stated_facts, corrected_stated_facts, metadata_changed, destination_explicit, descriptive_counts_included, interpretation_rule

    143rows

    Download facts supplied in each question (CSV)

  • Sources across question styles

    source-wording-incidence.csv

    One website, profile, topic and platform, with answer totals, question styles and the original answer references.

    persona, output, surface, domain, answers_with_source, eligible_answers, wording_styles_with_source, eligible_wording_styles, observed_styles, eligible_styles, answer_ids, by_style

    2,144rows

    Download sources across question styles (CSV)

  • Questions with corrected fact descriptions

    question-catalogue-reviewed.csv

    The unchanged original question text with fact descriptions reviewed on 28 October 2026.

    question_id, question_version, group_id, case_id, asked_for, output_id, module_ids, category, wording_style, prompt_set, collection_panel, comparison_id, exact_text, distinguishing_facts, stated_facts, tags, status

    143rows

    Download questions with corrected fact descriptions (CSV)

  • Statements checked against official sources

    statement-checks.csv

    One checked statement, with its exact passage, verdict, official source, review date and original answer reference.

    check_id, measure_id, question_checked, result_id, prompt_id, question_id, persona, assistant, wording, exact_statement, verdict, what_the_source_says, source_name, source_url, checked_on, answer_sha256

    47rows

    Download statements checked against official sources (CSV)

  • Policy questions covered by the checks

    statement-measures.csv

    One policy question, showing checked statements, original answers and the question wordings represented.

    measure_id, question_checked, checked_statements, distinct_answers, wording_styles_with_checked_assertions, wording_styles, answer_ids, question_ids, scope

    27rows

    Download policy questions covered by the checks (CSV)

Use the question and answer numbers to follow the evidence between tables. Locations named in warnings and comparisons count. Sources attached to an answer and web links in the answer text are counted separately.

03

The reviewed evidence

We read all 108 New Zealand answers about where to live to assess the tone toward each named place. A separate selection of 41 answers explores practical advice and contrasts across topics. The original policy checks were made on 22 October and expanded on 28 October 2026; verdicts cover selected statements, not every answer.

ChatGPT · New Zealand country setting

New Zealand visa options for an experienced qualified software or data professional without a job offer

New Zealand visa options for experienced software and data professionals without a job offer

If you're an experienced, qualified software engineer, software developer, data engineer, data scientist, or analytics professional, there are several New Zealand immigration pathways worth investigating even if you don't have a job offer yet. The main distinction is between visas that let you enter or live in New Zealand without sponsored employment and residence pathways that generally require a job or a qualifying employment arrangement.

Your experience and qualifications can help, but the right pathway also depends on your age, citizenship, degree, work history, and whether you're aiming for permanent residence or simply the right to work.

1. Main visa options at a glance

1. Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

Job offer required

A major route to residence for skilled professionals. You generally need a skilled job or offer from an accredited employer and must qualify under one of the residence pathways. The standard age limit is 55.

Your qualifications, salary and experience may help you qualify, but you cannot apply under this route solely on the strength of overseas experience without qualifying New Zealand employment. Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa » Immigration New ZealandGetting New Zealand residence through the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) :: Immigration New Zealand

Official visa information

2. Green List — Straight to Residence

Job offer required

Certain ICT occupations, including software engineer and several programming and database roles, appear on the Green List with specific remuneration requirements. As of October 2026, the listed software and ICT roles can have a high salary threshold — for example, NZ$70 per hour for specified roles.

If you meet the exact occupation, pay and other requirements, this can provide a direct route to residence. A data scientist or data engineer should check their actual duties and occupation classification rather than assume their title qualifies. Appendix 13Straight to Residence Visa » Immigration New Zealand

Official Green List

3. Working Holiday Visa

No job offer required

Available to eligible citizens of countries that have a working holiday agreement with New Zealand. The usual age range is 18–30, with some schemes extending to 35.

This can be a way to enter New Zealand, work temporarily and meet prospective employers. However, you generally cannot take a permanent job on a working holiday visa, and eligibility depends on your passport and the relevant scheme. Who can apply for a working holiday visa :: Immigration New ZealandWorking holiday visas :: Immigration New Zealand

Check eligibility by nationality

4. Visitor Visa or visa-waiver entry with overseas remote work

No local job offer needed

If you already work remotely for an overseas employer or overseas clients, New Zealand's visitor rules allow certain remote work while visiting. This does not give you permission to take a job with a New Zealand employer, and it is not a residence pathway in itself.

This may suit someone wanting to experience life in New Zealand before deciding whether to pursue a longer-term move. Your nationality, intended stay and visa conditions matter.

Immigration New Zealand — working remotely on a visitor visa

5. Student Visa followed by post-study work

This is an indirect option if you are willing to undertake further study in New Zealand. Eligible qualifications can lead to a Post Study Work Visa, depending on the qualification and other requirements.

It is usually less attractive for an already experienced professional unless the study offers a clear career or immigration benefit. You need admission to an eligible programme and sufficient funds; it is not a general job-seeker visa.

Official Student Visa information

2. What if you want permanent residence without a job offer?

For a typical experienced software or data professional, New Zealand does not currently offer a general points-based skilled migration route to residence based only on overseas qualifications, age and work experience.

The two principal skilled residence routes — the Skilled Migrant Category and Green List pathways — require qualifying New Zealand employment or a job offer. Getting New Zealand residence through the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) :: Immigration New ZealandGreen List pathway to residence :: Immigration New Zealand

That means your practical strategy is usually one of these:

  • If you qualify for a Working Holiday Visa: use it to enter and seek suitable employment, while observing its restrictions.
  • If you have a strong senior-level profile: apply to accredited employers from overseas, targeting positions that meet Green List or Skilled Migrant requirements.
  • If you already have overseas remote employment: investigate whether visitor entry suits a temporary stay while you continue working remotely.
  • If you have a partner with New Zealand work or residence rights: investigate whether a partner-based visa is available to you.

Do not assume that a skills shortage, a high qualification or a large amount of experience by itself grants permission to work or reside in New Zealand.

3. Let's narrow down the options for your profile

A few details will help identify which pathways are realistic rather than just theoretically possible.

Answer what you can — partial answers are fine.

With these details, I can distinguish the options that genuinely allow you to proceed without an offer from those that require you to secure employment first, including any occupation-specific residence possibilities.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 15–20 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand country setting

New Zealand visa options for an experienced qualified software or data professional without a job offer

For an experienced, qualified software or data professional without a job offer, moving to New Zealand requires a strategic approach. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) heavily ties permanent residence and major work visas to having an accredited employer job offer. However, you still have specific pathways available to enter the country, bridge the gap, and transition into long-term residence.

1. Working Holiday Visa (Age and Nationality Dependent)

If you meet the age requirements (typically 18–30 or up to 35 for certain nationalities) and hold a passport from an eligible country that has a Working Holiday scheme with New Zealand, this is the easiest way to arrive without a job offer.

  • What it allows: You can live and travel in New Zealand for 1 to 2 years and take open employment.
  • The Strategic Advantage: As an experienced tech professional, you can use this open work window to land a local role with an Accredited Employer. Once employed locally, transitioning to a longer-term work or residence visa becomes straightforward.

2. The Study-to-Work Pathway (Post-Study Work Visa)

If you are open to upskilling or completing a higher-level postgraduate qualification (such as a postgraduate diploma or master's degree) at a New Zealand tertiary institution, you can utilize the student route.

  • What it allows: International students enrolled in eligible higher-level programs can work part-time during studies and typically qualify for an open Post-Study Work Visa (ranging from 1 to 3 years depending on the level of study) after graduating.
  • The Strategic Advantage: Software engineering, developer programmer, and ICT security roles are heavily prioritized in New Zealand. Graduating from an NZ institution gives you local credentials, a post-study work visa requiring no prior job offer to obtain, and high employability in the local tech sector.

3. Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) – Expression of Interest (EOI)

New Zealand’s points-based Skilled Migrant Category is designed for professionals with high human capital, but it fundamentally requires a skilled job offer to complete the residence application.

  • The Nuance: While you cannot secure the visa without a job offer, you can evaluate your potential points beforehand based on your qualifications (e.g., a Bachelor's degree or higher assessed via an International Qualification Assessment) and your years of experience.
  • The Strategy: Use your qualifications to map out your target points framework so that the moment you secure a remote or on-the-ground job offer from an Accredited Employer, you can immediately trigger your residency application.

How Your Tech Profile Fits the Green List (Once You Get an Offer)

As a software or data professional, your background puts you in a strong position for New Zealand's Green List roles (such as Software Engineer, Developer Programmer, Analyst Programmer, or ICT Security Specialist).

  • Many tech roles sit on Tier 1 (Straight to Residence) or Tier 2 (Work to Residence).
  • While these paths require a job offer to activate, knowing that your specific occupation is pre-approved for fast-tracked residency means your primary objective should be securing that initial offer.

Recommended Next Steps

  1. Check Your Qualifications: Get your university degree evaluated by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) via an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) so it is recognized locally.
  2. Target Accredited Employers: Focus your job search on New Zealand companies that are accredited sponsors on the INZ employer directory, using platforms like Seek or LinkedIn.
  3. Explore Working Holiday Options: Check if your citizenship grants you access to a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa as a fast physical entry point.

Are you eligible for a Working Holiday visa based on your age and nationality, or are you looking to explore options that involve upskilling through further education?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 15–20 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand country setting

New Zealand visa options for an experienced qualified software or data professional without a job offer

As an experienced, qualified software or data professional without a job offer, moving to New Zealand requires navigating a system where most permanent residence and work visas do require a job offer upfront. However, you still have a few strategic pathways to enter the country, build local networks, and transition into long-term work or residence.

The primary visa options available to you without a prior job offer include:

  • Working Holiday Visa (WHV)

  • Description: If you meet the age requirements (typically 18–30, or up to 35 for select countries like the UK, Canada, and several European nations) and hold citizenship in an eligible partner country, this is the easiest way to move to New Zealand legally without a job offer.

  • Work Rights: Provides an open work visa allowing you to work for any employer (or contract) for 12 to 36 months depending on your nationality.

  • Strategic Advantage: It allows you to land in New Zealand, network face-to-face with tech companies, and secure a permanent role that can later transition to an accredited employer work visa or residence.

  • Full-Fee Paying Student Visa (Post-Study Work Pathway)

  • Description: Enroll in a postgraduate qualification (such as a Level 8 or 9 Postgraduate Diploma or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or IT) at a New Zealand tertiary institution.

  • Work Rights: While studying, you can work part-time, and upon graduation, you typically qualify for an open Post-Study Work Visa (up to 3 years depending on the qualification level).

  • Strategic Advantage: Local tech credentials and an open post-study work visa significantly boost your employment prospects and help you claim points under the skilled migration framework later.

  • Visitor Visa (Exploratory / Job Hunting Trip)

  • Description: You can enter New Zealand on a standard Visitor Visa (if your country is visa-waiver) for a short-term stay to scout the market.

  • Work Rights: No work rights are permitted on a standard visitor visa.

  • Strategic Advantage: Strictly limited to networking, attending tech meetups, and interviewing in person. If you secure a formal job offer from an accredited employer while there, you can apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).

  • Note: Software Engineers and ICT professionals are heavily in demand on New Zealand’s Green List (many ICT roles feature direct-to-residence or work-to-residence paths), meaning once you get an offer matching the salary threshold (typically minimum $120,000 NZD for many ICT roles), the work visa and residence process speeds up considerably.

To help narrow down the best path, could you share:

  • Your age
  • Your country of citizenship (to check Working Holiday Visa or youth mobility options)
  • Whether you are open to further study in New Zealand?
Ask anything

Captured 15–20 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand country setting

New Zealand visa options for an experienced qualified software or data professional without a job offer

AI Overview

There are no direct skilled migration visas available for software or data professionals to move to New Zealand without a job offer, as current paths like the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa and the Green List Straight to Residence Visa strictly require a full-time, skilled employment offer from an Accredited Employer. However, experienced tech professionals can leverage alternative "open" visas or job-hunting strategies to enter the country first and secure a role on the ground.

✈️ Open Work Visas (No Job Offer Required)

If you fit specific age, relationship, or study profiles, you can get open work rights to enter New Zealand and job hunt locally:

  • Working Holiday Visa : Available to citizens of selected countries who are 18 to 30 or 35 years old. It grants open work rights for 12 to 23 months, allowing you to bypass the offshore hiring barrier.
  • Partner of a Worker Work Visa : If your spouse or partner holds an eligible New Zealand work visa or is a resident/citizen, you can apply for an open work visa based on your relationship.
  • The Student toPost-Study Work Visa Pathway: Enrolling in an eligible New Zealand higher education program (like a Master’s degree in Data Science) grants a student visa with part-time work rights. Graduating unlocks a 1-to-3-year open work visa.

💼 Business and Investment Pathways

If you have significant capital and intend to work for yourself, you can explore these options:

  • Entrepreneur Work Visa : Requires a minimum capital investment of NZD $100,000 , a points-based evaluation, and a comprehensive business plan to buy or set up a tech business in New Zealand.
  • Active Investor Plus Visa : Requires an investment ranging between NZD $5 million and $15 million into acceptable New Zealand equities or venture capital funds.

🔍 The Offshore Target: Green List Tier 1

Because Software Engineer (ANZSCO 261313) is explicitly listed on the Green List Tier 1, your ultimate goal should be securing a job offer from offshore.

Once you sign an employment agreement with an accredited Kiwi company, you can instantly apply for a Straight to Residence Visa. This bypasses the typical multi-year temporary visa waiting periods.

Many overseas professionals successfully apply for a standard Visitor Visa to fly into New Zealand exclusively for networking and attending corporate job interviews. You cannot legally perform any work on a visitor visa, but you can sign a employment contract and then apply to change your visa status.

To help narrow down your best approach, could you tell me:

  • What is your citizenship/passport country and your age?
  • Do you hold a formal university degree in your tech field?
  • Are you looking to move alone or with a partner/family?

I can map out the precise requirements for your specific situation.

Ask anything

Captured 15–20 October 2026