Effective October 12th 2016 onwards, New Zealand has introduced a new points system for PR for the skilled migrant category, wherein an applicant is required to meet 160 points irrespective of a job offer as against the earlier 140 points.
Additionally, an overall IELTS score of 6.5 is required for all applicants and dependents above the age of 16. Those who do not meet this score will be asked to take an English language course and meet the score requirement.
Please refer to all details in the following link:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/new-zealand-residence-programme-changes/nzrp-smc
