I imported a 2004 EVO 8 MR. For EVOs 7 - 9 my preference was the 8 MR as it has the carbon fibre roof the 9s have, and the reliability upgrades, however if your running factory boost, 7s and standard 8s are pretty similar, and unless your cold boosting, are very strong. You have two options for registration, you can fill out this form via Mitsubishi NZ, http://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/statement-of-compliance/docs/statement-of-compliance.pdf
Or
You can register it as a special interest vehicle. http://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/49738/Application-for-SIV-permit.pdf
As there are only 200 special interest vehicle registrations a year, you have to own the vehicle for at least a year, and you have to own another vehicle for one year in the same name as the person who owns the SIV permit. Also you cant have another SIV car for 2 years and more than one in one persons name.
The SIV permit requires VIN number so you have to have it in certification where as the statement of compliance you can complete prior to the car landing and has no requirements once approved.
Also one thing to note is that if the car has an aftermarket steering wheel and originally had an airbag system (most newer EVOs) you will need a specific seat belt to replace yours approx $150 - $200 so that the pre-tensioner fires at an appropiate time for a car without an airbag as the original timing is timed to land your face almost at the steering wheel.
The reason for compliance issues as with m3s and most cars prior to 2007 as far as 2004 for some cars before they were changed to new emission standards which were printed on chassis as a 3 Digit Code, however for EVO 7 - 9 they are mostly GH-CT9A etc, GH being the emissions code for Japan 00 standards which approves them for the appropiate year.
Good luck with your endeavours i hope im not too late
