The Department of Internal Affairs

The Department of Internal Affairs

Te Tari Taiwhenua

Building a safe, prosperous and respected nation

 

Services › Citizenship › A Brief History About New Zealand Citizenship

Prior to 1949 there were no New Zealand citizens. People born or naturalised in New Zealand were British subjects, a status common to the peoples of the United Kingdom and the British Empire.

The issue of separate nationalities for dominions arose following the 1931 Statute of Westminster, which allowed dominions such as New Zealand to become fully independent countries. Canada created its own citizenship in 1947, with New Zealand and Australia following closely behind in 1949.

On 1 January 1949 the British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act 1948 came into force and most people living in New Zealand became New Zealand citizens on that day. It also meant that children born in New Zealand from 1 January 1949 were automatically New Zealand citizens. The Citizenship Act 1977 replaced the 1948 Act and provides the legislative framework for our citizenship today.

Most people born in New Zealand or to New Zealand citizen parents are New Zealand citizens. Most people born in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau are also New Zealand citizens, and since 1949 we have welcomed into the New Zealand “family” a large number of migrants who have chosen to apply for a grant of citizenship.


Celebrating 60 Years of New Zealand Citizenship



60th Anniversary


2009 was the 60th anniversary of New Zealand citizenship. To commemorate this anniversary, and to raise awareness of the meaning and importance of New Zealand citizenship, the Department of Internal Affairs held some special commemorative events throughout 2009. These included: