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


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Requirements for New Zealand Citizenship

New Zealand Citizenship by Descent

General Requirements for a Grant of New Zealand Citizenship

Grants of New Zealand Citizenship in Other Situations

How to Apply For Grant of New Zealand Citizenship

Photographic Requirements

Approved Translation Agencies

Citizenship Ceremonies

Citizenship by Grant Frequently Asked Questions

Denial and Confirmation of New Zealand Citizenship

Citizenship Application Fees and Forms

Citizenship Online Calculation Tool

Important Notices

Celebrating 60 Years of New Zealand Citizenship

Citizenship Education

Citizenship Grants Policy Manual

How to Contact Us

Requirements for New Zealand Citizenship

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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.
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.

For further information see How do I prove that I am a New Zealand citizen?

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 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

EITHER

You received your permanent residence before 21 April 2005, and
Have been ordinarily resident in New Zealand for the last 3 years.

You have received your permanent residence on or after 21 April 2005, and
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.

Important Notice
All applications for the grant of New Zealand citizenship received by the New Zealand Citizenship office on or after 21 April 2010 will be assessed against the 5 year residence requirement. Please ensure your application is in the New Zealand Citizenship office before 21 April 2010 if this affects you.

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: 02/02/2010