The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs : Services : General Requirements for a Grant of New Zealand Citizenship


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General Requirements for a Grant of New Zealand Citizenship

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You can find information below about New Zealand citizenship by grant. This includes:

Citizenship Online Calculation Tool

Using the Citizenship Online Calculation Tool, answer simple questions to help you decide whether you satisfy the requirements for New Zealand citizenship by grant. Please note this is not an application form.

Requirements for a Grant of New Zealand Citizenship
Important Notice! Citizenship requirements changed on 21 April 2010. You may be eligible for a grant of New Zealand citizenship if you:

intend, if granted citizenship, to continue to reside in New Zealand;
are able to understand and speak English;
are of good character;
understand the responsibilities and privileges of New Zealand citizenship;
are a permanent resident of New Zealand; and
were physically present in New Zealand, and have had your New Zealand permanent residence for the last five years before applying for citizenship.

Each of these requirements is described below in more detail. Also detailed below are other requirements for applicants aged under 16 years.

Previously, applications could have been assessed under a three year residence requirement, however this no longer exists. For further information see Permanent Residence Before 21 April 2005.

Intention
You must intend, if granted New Zealand citizenship, to continue to reside in New Zealand.

Otherwise, you must intend to enter into or continue in one of the following:

Crown Service under the New Zealand Government; or
Service under an international organisation of which the New Zealand Government is a member; or
Service in the employment of a person, company, society or other body of persons resident or established in New Zealand.

How is the requirement assessed?
You must indicate on the application form whether or not you intend to continue to reside in New Zealand.

Important things you need to know
If you travel overseas after lodging your application, the processing may not be completed until you return to New Zealand.

English
You must have sufficient knowledge of the English language.

How is the requirement assessed?
You must be able to demonstrate that you can manage independently in everyday situations.

We will be looking at your standard of education, the nature of your employment and any face-to-face communication that you have had with the Citizenship Office.

Important things you need to know
We may require you to attend an English language interview. The purpose of this interview will be to assess your ability to meet the English language requirement.

Good Character
You need to be of good character.

Please Note: Except in very rare circumstances, you will be disqualified from meeting the good character requirement if:

you have been in prison for five years or more; or
you have been sentenced to an indefinite term of imprisonment capable of running for five years or more; or
within the previous seven years you were subject to a sentence of imprisonment of less than five years; or
within the previous three years you were convicted of an offence but did not receive a sentence of imprisonment.

How is the requirement assessed?
To determine whether you are of good character the Minister will consider the answers you have given in your application. We will also complete background checks with the New Zealand Police and other agencies.

You may be asked to provide a police clearance from overseas if you have spent a long time outside New Zealand in the past twelve years. Generally, clearances may be requested if you have been settled in a place outside New Zealand for:

four or more months during the previous three years; or
twelve or more months during the previous four to twelve year period (with New Zealand residency); or
four months or more during the processing of your citizenship application; or
four months or more after approval and before attending a ceremony.

However, overseas police clearances may still be requested from you even if your situation does not meet the general guidelines above. This will be assessed on a case by case basis.

Important things you need to know

Changes to answers given in the application
If there is any change in your circumstances that affects the answers you give in your application then you must let us know in writing as soon as possible. If you choose not to, your ability to get New Zealand citizenship or your ability to continue to be a New Zealand citizen, if granted, may be affected.

Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004
Some people with previous criminal convictions in New Zealand may be able to conceal their criminal record under the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004. A person may be eligible to conceal their record if they have:

had no convictions within the last seven years;
never been in prison (or other custodial sentence);
never been detained in a mental institution instead of being sentenced;
not been convicted of certain specified offences (e.g. relating to sexual offences);
paid all fines, costs, compensation and reparation imposed by the court;
never been disqualified indefinitely from holding or obtaining a drivers licence.

If you are eligible under the Clean Slate scheme you may answer any question about your criminal record by stating that you do not have a criminal record.

If you are uncertain whether you are able to conceal your record or would like further information please contact the Ministry of Justice.

Please Note: The Clean Slate scheme only applies to convictions in New Zealand. Any conviction you may have received outside New Zealand must be disclosed.

Responsibilities and Privileges

Becoming a New Zealand citizen means you will undertake responsibilities and you will enjoy the same privileges of a person born in New Zealand. You must be aware of these responsibilities and privileges.

Responsibilities

To obey and promote the laws of New Zealand (this includes registration as a voter and fulfilment of tax obligations).
Not to act in a way that is against the interests of New Zealand.

Privileges

The right to enter and remain in New Zealand at any time without an immigration permit.
The right to a New Zealand passport (which entitles holders to visa-free travel to a range of countries).
The ability to seek assistance from New Zealand diplomatic representatives when travelling overseas.
Full economic rights:
- Some public service positions may only be held by New Zealand citizens;
- Ownership of rural land is difficult for people who are not New Zealand citizens.
Full access to education:
- Only New Zealand citizens qualify for some subsidised fees, scholarships and awards. In addition, only New Zealand citizens may qualify for financial assistance from some overseas universities.
Access to international sport:
- Some sports require that international players are citizens of the country they represent.

Presence
To be eligible for a grant of New Zealand citizenship you must have New Zealand permanent residence (or be an Australian citizen or permanent resident). Permanent residence means that Immigration New Zealand has allowed you to live in New Zealand permanently. You are required to have:

1. Been present in New Zealand;

for at least 1,350 days with a Permanent Resident Permit issued by Immigration New Zealand during the 5 years immediately before you make your application; and
for at least 240 days with a Permanent Resident Permit issued by Immigration New Zealand in each of those 5 years; and

2. Fully met any conditions imposed by Immigration New Zealand in regard to your Permanent Resident Permit.

Please Note: If you can show that there are exceptional circumstances that warrant a reduction, you may be considered as long as you have a minimum presence in New Zealand of 450 days with a Permanent Resident Permit in the 20 months before you make your application.

If you are under 16 years of age
If you are under 16 years of age at the time the Minister makes a decision and at least one of your parents is a New Zealand citizen (or has applied and is able to fulfil the requirements for a grant) you do not need to meet the five year presence requirement, although you will need permanent residence and will need to live in New Zealand.

If you are under 16 at the time the Minister makes a decision and at least one of your parents is not a New Zealand citizen (or is unable to fulfil the requirements for a grant) you will need to meet the presence requirements.

If you are 16 years of age or over
If you are 16 or over, or turn 16 during the processing of your application, you need to meet the residence requirements yourself.

Other Requirements for Applicants Aged Under 16
Consent to apply
Applicants under 16 years of age need the consent of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to apply. If the consent of only one parent is available please contact us.

Applicants under 14 years old are not required to meet the English, character and knowledge requirements.

Successful applicants aged 14 years and over must attend a public citizenship ceremony where they take the oath or affirmation of allegiance. Successful applicants under 14 may attend a ceremony if they wish.


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Last updated: 31/05/2010