New Zealand nationality law

New Zealand nationality law determines who is and who is not a New Zealand citizen. The status of New Zealand citizenship was created on 1 January 1949 by the British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act 1948. Prior to this date, New Zealanders were only British subjects and New Zealand had the same nationality legislation as the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries (see also British nationality law).

Citizenship Act 1977
Parliament of New Zealand
Citation1977 No 61
Enacted by38th New Zealand Parliament
Repeals
British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act 1948 (1948 No 15)
Status: Current legislation

The 1948 legislation was replaced by the Citizenship Act 1977, which came into force on 1 January 1978. This was substantially amended in 2005 by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2005, in force from 21 April 2005.

The Citizenship Office of the Department of Internal Affairs is in charge of processing applications and enquiries relating to New Zealand citizenship.

History

New Zealand became a colony of the British Empire from the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. All New Zealanders, including Māori, were British subjects until 1948.[1]

In the mid-19th century, all aliens (that is, non-British subjects) were able to enter and live freely in New Zealand. Property rights for aliens were restricted.[1] French and German settlers complained about their inability to acquire property in New Zealand, and so, from 1844, aliens in New Zealand were able to become "natural born subjects of Her Majesty [Queen Victoria]" through proclamations by the governor (which would later be confirmed by ordinances).[1]

On 1 January 1978, the Citizenship Act 1977 came into force. New Zealand passports no longer contained the phrase "British subject and New Zealand citizen", but instead only stated "New Zealand citizen".[1] Foreign nationals who wanted to become New Zealand citizens were no longer naturalised, but rather received New Zealand citizenship by grant.

British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act 1948
An old New Zealand passport, 1949, bearing the title "British Passport" with "Dominion of New Zealand" underneath.

Following the Second World War, the United Kingdom's relationship with its former colonies began to change. Self-governing members of the British Empire began to assert their independence. Canada passed its own citizenship act in 1946,[2] creating Candian citizenship separate from that of British subjects, from 1 January 1947. In November 1947, New Zealand had reluctantly adopted the Statute of Westminster 1931 with the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1947,[3] but was at pains to stress its continued loyalty to Britain and the British Empire.[4]

Following the 1948 Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference in London where the future of nationality law within the Commonwealth was discussed, New Zealand's parliament passed the British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act 1948 which established New Zealand citizenship, coming into force on 1 January 1949.[1] The United Kingdom's own British Nationality Act 1948 came into force on 1 January 1949.

Due to New Zealand's loyalty to the British Empire, New Zealand continued to use the term "British Passport" on passports issued to New Zealanders, even though legally the passports were issued by New Zealand under separate citizenship.[5]

Māori

Māori were granted "all the Rights and Privileges of British Subjects" under Article 3 of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. Their status as British subjects was re-affirmed by the Native Rights Act 1865.[6] However, despite their legal status as British subjects, in practice, over the next century, Māori would be denied some of the privileges[7][8] which white British subjects who moved to New Zealand from Britain enjoyed.[1]

Pacific Islanders and New Zealand citizenship

When the Cook Islands and Niue became New Zealand territories in 1901, their inhabitants were already British subjects. In 1920, Tokelauans became recognised as British subjects.[9]

In 1920, New Zealand started governing Western Samoa under a mandate from the League of Nations.[9] The 1923 and 1928 British Nationality and Status of Aliens Acts passed by the Parliament of New Zealand allowed for Western Samoans to be naturalised as British subjects and they were exempted from the usual requirement to understand and speak English.[9]

When the British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act 1948 came into effect on 1 January 1949, Cook Islanders, Niueans, Tokelauans and Western Samoans who were British subjects gained New Zealand citizenship.[9]

When Western Samoa achieved independence from New Zealand in 1962, the citizenship status of Western Samoans living in New Zealand became uncertain. As a result, many Western Samoans were staying in New Zealand illegally.[9]

On 28 July 1982, following a stiff tightening of Pacific Island immigration by the Muldoon government, the Privy Council ruled that because of the 1923 and 1928 British Nationality and Status of Aliens Acts, all Samoans born between 1924 and 1948 – and their children – were British subjects and hence, on 1 January 1949, had become New Zealand citizens.[10]

The Privy Council ruling would have meant recognising over 100,000 Samoans as New Zealand citizens. Because the New Zealand Government was unwilling to grant New Zealand citizenship to such a large number of people, the Parliament of New Zealand passed the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 which overrode the Privy Council ruling. Under this new law, Samoan citizens who were in New Zealand at any point on 14 September 1982 (legally or illegally) or arrived in New Zealand as permanent residents after that date were eligible to be granted New Zealand citizenship, but other Samoans born before 1949 and their children were not.

This law has been controversial. A 2003 petition asking the Parliament of New Zealand to repeal the Act attracted 100,000 signatures, and the Samoan rights group Mau Sitiseni filed a petition on the issue with the United Nations Human Rights Committee in 2007.[11]

Chinese people and New Zealand citizenship

In 1866, the Aliens Act imposed a naturalisation fee of £1 on all immigrants to New Zealand who were perceived to be 'undesirable', which in effect meant most non-white immigrants. When this naturalisation fee was abolished in the 1890s, Chinese people continued to be discriminated against as they still had to pay the fee whilst all other applicants did not.[1]

In 1908, Chinese people in New Zealand were subjected to even more discrimination. They were denied any possibility for permanent residence and citizenship and were required to apply periodically for permission to remain in New Zealand.[1] Despite being treated as third-class citizens, during the Second World War, Chinese people in New Zealand were forced to serve in the armed forces.[1]

It was not until 1951 that Chinese people were finally allowed by law to apply for permanent residence and citizenship again. However, in practice, they continued to be subject to discrimination. Out of the first 400 applicants who fulfilled the legal requirements for New Zealand citizenship and hence who applied for naturalisation, only 20 applicants who were deemed to be 'the most highly assimilated [and educated] types' were approved.[1] In addition, whilst all other applicants for New Zealand citizenship did not have to renounce their former nationality, Chinese people were required to renounce their Chinese citizenship and to demonstrate that they were 'closer to the New Zealand way of life than to the Chinese'.[1]

On 12 February 2002, Prime Minister Helen Clark made a formal apology in Parliament to the Chinese community in New Zealand for the discrimination which they had faced in the past. In her speech, she acknowledged the 'unacceptable indignity' suffered by Chinese people in New Zealand as a result of 'discriminatory laws' passed by Parliament in the past relating to immigration and citizenship which applied to no other ethnic group.[12]

Rights, privileges and responsibilities of New Zealand citizens

In New Zealand

New Zealand citizens enjoy the following rights (subject to certain exceptions):

  • the right to enter and remain in New Zealand at any time without an immigration permit
  • entitlement to a New Zealand passport and to New Zealand consular protection overseas
  • immunity from deportation
  • entitlement to vote and stand for public office
  • entitlement to leave New Zealand and return at any time without requiring a visa
  • entitlement to pass on New Zealand citizenship by descent to children born outside New Zealand
  • the right to purchase certain rural property
  • full access to education rights, such as subsidised fees and scholarships
  • ability to apply for public service jobs reserved for New Zealand citizens
  • access to international sport (in some sports, international players must be citizens of the country they represent)

The following responsibilities are expected of New Zealand citizens:[13]

  • obey and promote the laws of New Zealand (including registration as a voter and fulfilment of tax obligations)
  • not act in any way that is contrary to the interests of New Zealand

In Australia

By virtue of the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, New Zealand citizens are granted a Special Category Visa on arrival in Australia (which permits residence and work for an indefinite period) as long as they:[14]

In other Commonwealth countries

As Commonwealth citizens, New Zealanders are afforded a number of privileges in some Commonwealth countries.

In the United Kingdom, New Zealand citizens enjoy the following privileges:

In many Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean, such as Belize and Trinidad and Tobago, New Zealand citizens who are long-term residents have the right to vote in elections.

New Zealand citizens who require consular assistance in a foreign country where there is no New Zealand foreign mission may be able to request assistance from a British embassy, high commission or consulate. For example, New Zealanders who need to travel urgently and whose passport has expired, been lost or been stolen can be issued with an emergency travel document by a British foreign mission as long as this has cleared with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.[16]

In foreign countries
Main article: Visa requirements for New Zealand citizens
Visa requirements for New Zealand citizens

New Zealand citizens travelling on a New Zealand passport enjoy the privilege of visa-free access to 172 countries and territories around the world, including the United States and all European Union member states according to the Henley visa restrictions index.

In recognition of the fact that foreign nationals (including Portuguese citizens) who are permanent residents are allowed to vote in elections in New Zealand, since 2013 Portugal has allowed New Zealand citizens aged 18 or over residing there to enrol at the Comissão Recenseadora and vote (though only in local elections).[17][18] At present, New Zealand is the only country outside the European Union, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries and Latin America whose citizens are entitled to vote in Portugal.

Acquisition of New Zealand citizenship

New Zealand citizenship can be acquired in the following ways:

  1. Automatically on 1 January 1949 to certain British subjects with a connection to New Zealand
  2. lex soli: By birth in New Zealand on or after 1 January 2006 to a parent who is a New Zealand citizen or a New Zealand permanent resident at the time of the birth, or by birth in New Zealand on or before 31 December 2005 (with some exceptions)
  3. lex sanguinis: By descent if born or adopted outside New Zealand and one of the parents (or adopted parent) is a New Zealand citizen otherwise than by descent (for example, by birth or by grant in New Zealand), although there are certain situations where a New Zealand citizen by descent can still pass New Zealand citizenship on to their children
  4. By grant: Either by fulfilling the general requirements or by qualifying for a special grant (e.g. as the child of a New Zealand citizen or as a qualifying Samoan citizen).

For the purpose of acquiring citizenship, the Cook Islands, Niue, the Ross Dependency and Tokelau are treated as part of New Zealand – hence, for example, a child born in Tokelau to a Tokelauan permanent resident would qualify for New Zealand citizenship. However, for Samoan citizens applying for a special grant of New Zealand citizenship, the Cook Islands, Niue, the Ross Dependency and Tokelau are not treated as part of New Zealand.

New Zealand citizenship acquired on 1 January 1949
British citizenship and
nationality law
Introduction
Nationality classes
See also
Relevant legislation

New Zealand citizenship was acquired on this date by British subjects falling into the following categories:

  • those born or naturalised in New Zealand
  • those born in Samoa
  • those ordinarily resident in New Zealand during all of 1948
  • those with a father born or naturalised in New Zealand
  • women married to men who became New Zealand citizens on 1 January 1949

For the purpose of passing on New Zealand citizenship to children born outside New Zealand, all such persons are New Zealand citizens by descent.

Similarly, all persons born or naturalised in New Zealand in 1949 or later are New Zealand citizens 'otherwise than by descent'.

New Zealand citizenship by birth

In general, any person born in New Zealand (or on board a ship or aircraft registered in New Zealand) on or before 31 December 2005 is a New Zealand citizen by birth. The only exceptions are children who were born:

  • to a parent who, at the time of birth, was a foreign diplomat in New Zealand and had immunity from jurisdiction and neither parent was a New Zealand citizen
  • on a ship or aircraft registered in another country, or on an unregistered ship or aircraft of a government of a foreign country
  • to enemy alien parents (i.e. both father and mother were enemies and were not New Zealand, Commonwealth or Irish citizens or British protected persons) in a place occupied by the enemy - though this situation has never occurred[19]

Children born in New Zealand (or on board a ship or aircraft registered in New Zealand) on or after 1 January 2006 will acquire New Zealand citizenship by birth only if at least one parent is a New Zealand citizen or entitled to be indefinitely in New Zealand (e.g. a resident or permanent resident, including Australian citizens). Children born to a parent who is a permanent resident of the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau also qualify.[20]

If a person is not a New Zealand citizen by birth, but is subsequently adopted in New Zealand by an adoption order under the terms of the Adoption Act 1955 on or after 1 January 2006 by a person entitled to reside indefinitely in New Zealand (e.g. a New Zealand citizen or resident or permanent resident, an Australian citizen or permanent resident), the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau), the person becomes a New Zealand citizen. The post-adoptive birth register entry will record that the person is a New Zealand citizen.

The following people are also New Zealand citizens by birth:

  • All children born in New Zealand on or after 1 January 1978 who would otherwise be stateless[21]
  • Tokelauans born in Samoa on or after 21 April 2005 for medical reasons[22]
  • Children born on or after 21 April 2005 and found in New Zealand with unknown parents[23]

A person who is a New Zealand citizen by birth is a New Zealand otherwise than by descent, which means that they can pass New Zealand citizenship on to their children born overseas.

New Zealand citizenship by descent

The following persons born or adopted outside New Zealand qualify to become New Zealand citizens by descent:

  • those between 1949 and 1977 with a father who is a New Zealand citizen otherwise than by descent at the time of birth or the final adoption order
  • those on or after 1 January 1978 with a parent who is a New Zealand citizen otherwise than by descent at the time of birth or the final adoption order
  • those born on or after 1 January 1978 with a parent who is a New Zealand citizen by descent at the time of birth or the final adoption order who would otherwise be stateless

In order to claim their New Zealand citizenship, these people must register their citizenship by descent at the Citizenship Office.

A person born or adopted outside New Zealand between 1949 and 1977 with a mother who is a New Zealand citizen otherwise than by descent at the time of birth or the final adoption order is entitled to apply for a grant of New Zealand citizenship as of right (see below), rather than New Zealand citizenship by descent.

A person born to or adopted by a parent outside New Zealand who, at the time of birth or the final adoption order, was a New Zealand citizen (by descent or otherwise than by descent) working overseas for the public service or Armed Forces of New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau is considered to be a New Zealand citizen otherwise than by descent, rather than by descent.[24]

If the child of a New Zealand citizen by descent born or adopted overseas does not qualify to register as a New Zealand citizen, they can be brought to live in New Zealand and subsequently granted New Zealand citizenship (see below).

New Zealand citizens by descent may apply for a grant of New Zealand citizenship (see below) after meeting the requirements. Upon this point, they become New Zealand citizens otherwise than by descent and can then pass on New Zealand citizenship to children born outside New Zealand.

New Zealand citizenship by grant
MP Charles Chauvel at a citizenship ceremony in Wellington

To receive a grant of New Zealand citizenship, a person must either fulfil the general requirements or qualify for a special grant (e.g. as the child of a New Zealand citizen or as a qualifying Samoan citizen).

A person granted New Zealand citizenship must usually attend a citizenship ceremony, unless they are under the age of 14, already a New Zealand citizen by descent or granted citizenship on the basis of birth outside New Zealand to a New Zealand citizen mother. These ceremonies are conducted by local city and district councils at regular intervals, although some new citizens choose to attend a special ceremony, such as those which occur on Waitangi Day (New Zealand's national day, 6 February). At the ceremony, the person must make the oath of allegiance for new citizens before the city or district's mayor (or another presiding officer), unless the Minister of Internal Affairs has waived this requirement.

A person who receives a grant of New Zealand citizenship is a New Zealand citizen otherwise than by descent, and so they can pass on New Zealand citizenship to their children born overseas.

General grant of New Zealand citizenship

A person (including a New Zealand citizen by descent) can apply for a general grant of New Zealand citizenship if they fulfil the following criteria:

  • they are entitled to be in New Zealand indefinitely (i.e. a New Zealand citizen by descent, a New Zealand permanent resident, an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident)
  • they have lived in New Zealand for the past 5 years (see below for the specifics and exceptions relating to the residence requirement)
  • they intend to continue living in New Zealand
  • they are of good character (this does not apply to applicants under 14 years old)
  • they have sufficient knowledge of the English language (this does not apply to applicants under 14 years old; it can also be waived by the Minister of Internal Affairs if this would cause 'undue hardship' to an applicant aged 14 or over)
  • they demonstrate an understanding of the responsibilities and privileges of being a New Zealand citizen (this does not apply to applicants under 14 years old)
  • they have the consent of their parents and legal guardians to become a New Zealand citizen (this only applies to applicants under 16 years old)

To fulfil the residence requirement, an applicant for a grant of New Zealand citizenship must have been physically present and permanently resident in New Zealand during the 5 years preceding the date of application (time spent in New Zealand before the 5-year period is not relevant).[25] A person who has been in New Zealand without a visa/permit during their residence period does not meet the requirements because "unlawful residence" is precluded in the Citizenship Act 1977. To fulfil the 5-year residence requirement, a person must have been physically present in New Zealand:

  • for at least 1,350 days with a Permanent Resident Visa/Residence Permit issued by Immigration New Zealand during the 5 years immediately before they make their application; and
  • for at least 240 days with a Permanent Resident Visa/Residence Permit issued by Immigration New Zealand in each of those 5 years;[26]

The Minister of Internal Affairs may use their discretion to reduce the residence requirement in exceptional circumstances to:[27][28]

  • physical presence in New Zealand for not less than 450 days during the 20-month period immediately preceding the date of the application for citizenship; and
  • being entitled to be in New Zealand indefinitely during each of those 450 days

Time spent outside New Zealand in Crown service under the New Zealand Government (or as the spouse, civil union or de facto partner of a New Zealand citizen in Crown service under the New Zealand Government overseas) may be considered as time spent in New Zealand.[29] Similarly, time spent overseas in the public service of the Government of the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau (or as the spouse, civil union or de facto partner who was a New Zealand citizen serving overseas in the public service of Government of the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau) can count as time spent in New Zealand.[30]

Previously, for applications before 21 April 2010, those present in New Zealand as permanent residents before 21 April 2005, or those who applied successfully for permanent residence before that date, were able to apply for New Zealand citizenship after three years of "ordinary residence" (this provision expired on 1 January 2010).

Special grant of New Zealand citizenship to Samoans

Samoan citizens can apply for a special grant of New Zealand citizenship if:

  • either they lawfully entered New Zealand on or after 15 September 1982 and can live indefinitely in New Zealand
  • or were present in New Zealand at any time on the day of 14 September 1982 (there is no requirement to have been lawfully present in New Zealand on this day)

Samoan citizens do not need to meet the residence, intention, character, language and knowledge requirements that a person would generally need to fulfil to qualify for a grant of New Zealand citizenship.

Whilst the Citizenship Act 1977 defines 'New Zealand' as New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, the Ross Dependency and Tokelau, the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 defines 'New Zealand' to mean New Zealand only. Therefore, to apply for a special grant of New Zealand citizenship for Samoans, presence or indefinite immigration status in the Cook Islands, Niue, Ross Dependency and Tokelau does not count as presence or indefinite immigration status in New Zealand.

Special grant of New Zealand citizenship to children of New Zealand citizens

A person can receive a special grant of New Zealand citizenship if they fulfil all of the following criteria:[31]

  • they have a parent who - at the time of their birth - was a New Zealand citizen by descent
  • they were born outside New Zealand on or after 1 January 1949
  • they have a 'demonstrable ongoing link with New Zealand'

Alternatively, a child under the age of 16 at the time the Minister of Internal Affairs makes a decision can receive a special grant of New Zealand citizenship if they fulfil all of the following criteria:[32]

  • they have a parent who is either a New Zealand citizen (by descent or otherwise), or who has applied for and fulfils the requirements for a grant of New Zealand citizenship
  • they are a New Zealand permanent resident, an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident
  • they are living in New Zealand at the time of the application
  • they intend to continue living in New Zealand
  • they are of good character (this does not apply to applicants under 14 years old)
  • they have sufficient knowledge of the English language (this does not apply to applicants under 14 years old)
  • they demonstrate an understanding of the responsibilities and privileges of being a New Zealand citizen (this does not apply to applicants under 14 years old)

Additionally, persons born outside New Zealand to or adopted by a mother who was a New Zealand citizen otherwise than by descent on or after 1 January 1949 and on or before 31 December 1977 are entitled to be granted New Zealand citizenship (i.e. the Minister of Internal Affairs cannot refuse the application of a person who qualifies for a grant of New Zealand citizenship in this way).

Special grant of New Zealand citizenship to stateless persons

The Minister of Internal Affairs has the discretion to grant New Zealand citizenship to a person who would otherwise be stateless.[33][34]

Special grant of New Zealand citizenship in exceptional circumstances

The Minister of Internal Affairs has the discretion to grant New Zealand citizenship to any person in exceptional circumstances where to do so would be in the public interest.[35]

Dual citizenship

New Zealand has permitted dual or multiple citizenship since the creation of New Zealand citizenship on 1 January 1949, although dual citizens who actively acquired or exercised their other citizenship could lose their New Zealand citizenship if their continued citizenship was judged "not conducive to the public good".[36] The modern wording is similar; dual citizens may lose New Zealand citizenship by acting "in a manner that is contrary to the interests of New Zealand".[37] A New Zealand citizen who holds another citizenship may renounce their New Zealand citizenship (see below), although this may not be registered if they reside in New Zealand or the country is at war.

New Zealand citizenship was granted only to British subjects (exceptions could be made for married women and minors); therefore, New Zealanders who lost British subject status before 1949 were not necessarily entitled to automatic New Zealand citizenship and so would have been required to apply for naturalisation.[38]

In 2017, dual citizenship with New Zealand proved problematic for multiple Australian politicians, who are ineligible to run for parliament with allegiance to a foreign power under s44(i) of the Australian Constitution. These include New Zealand-born Greens Senator Scott Ludlam, who resigned after discovering that he had not lost his dual citizenship by naturalising in Australia,[39] as well as Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce. His father was born in New Zealand as a British Subject and emigrated to Australia. Living in Australia as a British Subject, he was granted New Zealand citizenship when it was created, thus retrospectively making him a NZ citizen from birth. This subsequently made Joyce a citizen by descent.[40]

Renunciation of New Zealand citizenship

A person can only renounce their New Zealand citizenship if they fulfil all of the following criteria:

  • They are 18 years old or over
  • They are of full capacity
  • They have the citizenship of at least one other foreign country at the time of applying for renunciation of New Zealand citizenship

The Minister of Internal Affairs may refuse to register the renunciation of New Zealand citizenship of a person if they are living in New Zealand or if a state of war exists between New Zealand and another country. The general practice is that if a New Zealand citizen is in New Zealand at the time of applying to renounce their citizenship, the Minister of Internal Affairs will only register the renunciation if the person would continue to reside in New Zealand lawfully following the renunciation (e.g. if they are also an Australian citizen or has a residence permit) or if the person will leave New Zealand permanently following the registration of the renunciation.[41]

A person may become caught in a 'catch-22' situation: if they want to become a citizen of their new country, but cannot until they have renounced their existing citizenship, they are unable to renounce their New Zealand citizenship and the Minister of Internal Affairs will not register the renunciation of their New Zealand citizenship, because the law specifies that a person must already have the citizenship of at least one other country at the time of applying for renunciation of New Zealand citizenship. Therefore, for example, an individual who only has New Zealand citizenship will never be able to apply for Singaporean citizenship because once her Singaporean citizenship application has been approved, she must first renounce her existing nationality before she can attend a Singaporean citizenship ceremony and officially obtain Singaporean nationality.[42]

A register of people who have renounced or have been deprived of New Zealand citizenship is kept by the Citizenship Office and any person is allowed to view it.

Loss of New Zealand citizenship

The Minister of Internal Affairs can revoke a person's New Zealand citizenship if:[43]

  • they are satisfied that the registration, naturalisation, grant, or any grant requirement was procured by fraud, false representation or wilful concealment of relevant information; and
  • the person would not become stateless if they are deprived of New Zealand citizenship; and
  • the person became a New Zealand citizen by grant or by registration or naturalisation under the terms of the British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act 1948

The nationality laws of Israel, Canada, the US (e.g. see List of denaturalized former citizens of the United States), UK and Spain have provisions to take away the locally acquired citizenship if it was obtained under a process similar to the one mentioned above for NZ nationality acquired via naturalization.

A New Zealand citizen by birth does not lose their citizenship by being adopted by a foreign parent/parents.[44]

Statistics

In 2018, 35,737 people from 185 countries obtained New Zealand citizenship by grant.[45]

Between 1970 and 2011, the top 10 previous citizenships of people who obtained New Zealand citizenship by grant were (in order starting from the most): the United Kingdom, China (including Hong Kong and Macao), Samoa, India, South Africa, Fiji, Taiwan, Korea (North and South), the Philippines and Sri Lanka.[46]

Historical provisions - 1949 to 1977

Prior to 1 January 1978, New Zealand citizenship law had different rules.

  • persons from most Commonwealth countries (including the United Kingdom) and the Republic of Ireland could apply to be registered as a New Zealand citizen. Under the 1948 legislation, no specific residence period was required once the person was settled in New Zealand
  • persons from non-Commonwealth countries had to become naturalised. This required five years residence, including a requirement for notice to be given 12 months before application.
  • citizenship ceremonies were introduced in 1954 for those becoming naturalised New Zealand citizens
  • women married to New Zealand citizens were permitted to become New Zealand citizens as of right, without a residence requirement, if a citizen of a Commonwealth nation or the Republic of Ireland. Where the woman was from a non-Commonwealth nation, registration was allowed at the discretion of the Minister of Internal Affairs.
  • New Zealand citizenship by descent could be obtained only from a father, not the mother (however those born between 1949 and 1977 to a New Zealand mother may be able to register now as New Zealand citizens). Where the father was a New Zealand citizen by descent, the child normally had to be registered as a New Zealand citizen before age 16.
gollark: I'm not actually a beekeeper/rogue in real life.
gollark: I CAN generate a new one.
gollark: They have a torso and are standard in coloration.
gollark: My character is gollark. They are a beekeeper/rogue who is branching out into adventuring to feed their bees with better bee food.
gollark: So how do I "create" a "character"?

See also

References
  1. 1. 1840–1948: British subjects - Citizenship - Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
  2. "Page 2. Towards New Zealand citizenship". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  3. Kumarasingham 2010, p. 16.
  4. Kumarasingham 2010, p. 32.
  5. Kumarasingham 2010, p. 33.
  6. "Native Rights Act 1865". New Zealand Legal Information Institute. 1865. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  7. Levine, Stephen (2006). New Zealand as it Might Have Been. Victoria University Press. p. 53. ISBN 978-0-86473-545-4.
  8. Rashbrooke, Max (2013). Inequality: A New Zealand Crisis. Bridget Williams Books. p. 92. ISBN 978-1-927131-51-0.
  9. 3. Aliens and citizens - Citizenship - Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
  10. So'o, Asofou (Spring 2004). "Samoa". The Contemporary Pacific. 16 (1): 163–166. doi:10.1353/cp.2004.0030.
  11. "Samoan rights group to lobby U.N. for New Zealand citizenship". International Herald Tribune: Asia Pacific. 8 March 2007.
  12. Helen Clark | Poll Tax Archived 7 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  13. Citizenship by Grant: Frequently Asked Questions - dia.govt.nz
  14. "New Zealand Citizens Entering Australia". Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  15. Electoral Administration Act 2006, Section 18
  16. Foreign & Commonwealth Office: The new UK Emergency Passport
  17. Declaração n.º 4/2013 de 24 de junho
  18. Comissão Nacional de Eleições - Perguntas Frequentes: Recenseamento / Direito de Voto em Portugal
  19. Citizenship Act 1977, Sections 2(1) and 6(2)(b)
  20. Citizenship Act 1977, Section 6(1)(b)
  21. Citizenship Act 1977, Section 6(3)(a)
  22. Citizenship Act 1977, Section 6(5)
  23. Citizenship Act 1977, Section 6(3)(b)
  24. Citizenship Act 1977, Section 6(3)
  25. http://www.dia.govt.nz/Services-Citizenship-Index Citizenship - Raraunga, Applications for Citizenship Received on or After 21 April 2010
  26. http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Citizenship-General-Requirements-for-a-Grant-of-New-Zealand-Citizenship?OpenDocument General Requirements for a Grant of New Zealand Citizenship, Presence
  27. Citizenship Act 1977, Section 8(7)
  28. Reduction of presence requirement
  29. Citizenship Act 1977, Section 8(5)
  30. Citizenship Act 1977, Section 8(6)
  31. Grant of citizenship by reason of parent a citizen by descent Archived 14 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine, dia.govt.nz.
  32. Verification of eligibility for applicants not yet 16 years of age Archived 14 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine, dia.govt.nz
  33. Citizenship Act 1977, Section 9(1)d
  34. Department of Internal Affairs: Citizenship by reason of statelessness Archived 14 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  35. Grant of citizenship by reason of exceptional circumstances and public interest Archived 14 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine, dia.govt.nz.
  36. British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act 1948, section 22. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
  37. Citizenship Act 1977 No 61 (as at 19 December 2012), Public Act – New Zealand Legislation
  38. British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act 1948 (1948 No 15) Transitional provisions, sections 16-18
  39. Strutt, J; Kagi, J (14 July 2017). "Greens senator Scott Ludlam resigns over failure to renounce dual citizenship". abc.net.au.
  40. Gartrell, Adam; Remeikis, Amy (14 August 2017). "Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce refers himself to High Court over potential dual citizenship". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  41. "Give up your New Zealand citizenship". Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  42. "ICA - Citizenship Approval". Archived from the original on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
  43. Citizenship Act 1977, Section 17
  44. Citizenship Act 1977, Section 6(6)
  46. Department of Internal Affairs: Previous Citizenship granted New Zealand Citizenship 1970–2011

Further reading
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