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Requirements for New Zealand Citizenship

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Requirements for New Zealand Citizenship

Click here for Maori language version

(Statement on the use of macrons)


This section will help you understand the requirements you need to be able to fulfil to become a New Zealand citizen.

You may already be a New Zealand citizen if you were:
  • Born in New Zealand (including the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, or the Ross Dependency) prior to 1 January 2006.
  • Born in New Zealand (including the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, or the Ross Dependency) from 1 January 2006 and at least one of your parents was a New Zealand citizen or entitled to be in New Zealand indefinitely at the time of your birth. (For further information see the Changes to Citizenship by Birth in New Zealand from 2006 Frequently Asked Questions).
  • Legally adopted by a New Zealand citizen parent (if you were adopted overseas we need to check that their adoption laws are similar to ours).
  • A British subject resident in New Zealand during all of 1948.
  • Granted New Zealand citizenship.
  • Born overseas to a New Zealand citizen parent.

General Requirements for a Grant of New Zealand Citizenship
To be granted New Zealand citizenship you must meet the requirements of either the Citizenship Act 1977 or the Citizenship Act (Western Samoa) 1982. You may be eligible for grant of New Zealand citizenship if you: EITHER
  1. You have received your permanent residence before 21 April 2005, and
  2. Have been ordinarily resident in New Zealand for the last 3 years.
OR
  1. You have received your permanent residence on or after 21 April 2005, and
  2. Have had your New Zealand permanent residence for the last 5 years.
For further information see General Requirements for a Grant of New Zealand Citizenship.


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.


Grants of Citizenship in Other Situations
If you are unable to fulfil all of the general requirements for a grant of New Zealand citizenship, you may still qualify if you can prove that one of the following situations applies to you. You are a:

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Last updated: 25/06/2008