Citizenship grants
January – December 2021 figures
January – December 2020 figures
Grants under section 9 (2009 – 2017)
January – December 2024 figures
Between 1 January and 31 December 2024, a total of 43,586 people were approved to be granted New Zealand citizenship. The table below provides the number of applications considered for a grant of citizenship under section 9(1)(c) from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024. No applications were considered under 9(1)(d) – Statelessness.
|
Date range |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 |
54 |
29 |
25 |
Types of Section 9(1)(c) applications
The table below details the standard requirements that were not met for consideration under section 9(1)(c).
|
Requirement(s) not met |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Full capacity* not met |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Presence not met due to applying early – sports representatives |
9 |
2 |
7 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – work related |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – non-work related |
34 |
22 |
12 |
|
Good character not met |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Intention to reside |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
TOTALS |
54 |
29 |
25 |
The data is grouped by calendar year based on when an application was considered by the Minister of Internal Affairs or their delegate. These figures have been manually compiled and therefore may be subject to error.
*As defined in the Citizenship Act 1977, a person shall be deemed to be of full capacity if not of unsound mind. Where an applicant is not of full capacity to make decisions about their citizenship status on their own, the Minister considers an application presented on their behalf by their duly-appointed Welfare Guardian.
January – December 2023 figures
Between 1 January and 31 December 2023, a total of 35,985 people were approved to be granted New Zealand citizenship. The table below provides the number of applications considered for a grant of citizenship under section 9(1)(c) from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023. No applications were considered under 9(1)(d) – Statelessness.
|
Date range |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 |
42 |
34 |
8 |
Types of Section 9(1)(c) applications
The table below details the standard requirements that were not met for consideration under section 9(1)(c).
|
Requirement(s) not met |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Full capacity* not met |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Presence not met due to applying early – sports representatives |
4 |
4 |
0 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – work related |
7 |
7 |
0 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – non-work related |
25 |
22 |
3 |
|
Presence and intention not met |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Good character not met |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
TOTALS |
42 |
34 |
8 |
The data is grouped by calendar year based on when an application was considered by the Minister of Internal Affairs or their delegate. These figures have been manually compiled and therefore may be subject to error.
*As defined in the Citizenship Act 1977, a person shall be deemed to be of full capacity if not of unsound mind. Where an applicant is not of full capacity to make decisions about their citizenship status on their own, the Minister considers an application presented on their behalf by their duly-appointed Welfare Guardian.
January – December 2022 figures
Between 1 January and 31 December 2022, a total of 46,845 people were approved to be granted New Zealand citizenship. The table below provides the number of applications considered for a grant of citizenship under section 9(1)(c) from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022.
|
Date range |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022 |
20 |
11 |
9 |
Types of Section 9(1)(c) applications
The table below details the standard requirements that were not met for consideration under section 9(1)(c).
|
Requirement(s) not met |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Entitlement not met |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Presence not met due to applying early – sports representatives |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – work related |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – non-work related |
9 |
6 |
3 |
|
Presence and intention not met |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
TOTALS |
20 |
11 |
9 |
The data is grouped by calendar year based on when an application was considered by the Minister of Internal Affairs or their delegate. These figures have been manually compiled and therefore may be subject to error.
*As defined in the Citizenship Act 1977, a person shall be deemed to be of full capacity if not of unsound mind. Where an applicant is not of full capacity to make decisions about their citizenship status on their own, the Minister considers an application presented on their behalf by their duly-appointed Welfare Guardian.
January – December 2021 figures
Between 1 January and 31 December 2021, a total of 17,760 people were approved to be granted New Zealand citizenship. The table below provides the number of applications considered for a grant of citizenship under section 9(1)(c) from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021.
|
Date range |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021 |
48 |
20 |
28 |
Types of Section 9(1)(c) applications
The table below details the standard requirements that were not met for consideration under section 9(1)(c).
|
Requirement(s) not met |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Entitlement not met |
5 |
1 |
4 |
|
Presence not met due to applying early |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Presence not met due to applying early – sports representatives |
5 |
3 |
2 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – work related |
8 |
6 |
2 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – non-work related |
6 |
3 |
3 |
|
Presence and intention not met |
8 |
1 |
7 |
|
Intention not met |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
English requirement not met |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
English and Responsibilities and Privileges not met |
1 |
1 |
30 |
|
Good character not met |
7 |
0 |
7 |
|
Full capacity* not met |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
TOTALS |
48 |
20 |
28 |
The data is grouped by calendar year based on when an application was considered by the Minister of Internal Affairs or their delegate. These figures have been manually compiled and therefore may be subject to error.
*As defined in the Citizenship Act 1977, a person shall be deemed to be of full capacity if not of unsound mind. Where an applicant is not of full capacity to make decisions about their citizenship status on their own, the Minister considers an application presented on their behalf by their duly-appointed Welfare Guardian.
January – December 2020 figures
Released 10 November 2021:
Between 1 January and 31 December 2020, a total of 20,491 people were approved to be granted New Zealand citizenship. The table below provides the number of applications considered for a grant of citizenship under section 9(1)(c) from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020.
|
Date range |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020 |
74 |
38 |
36 |
Types of Section 9(1)(c) applications
The table below details the standard requirements that were not met for consideration under section 9(1)(c).
|
Requirement(s) not met |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Entitlement not met |
13 |
8 |
5 |
|
Presence not met due to applying early |
10 |
3 |
7 |
|
Presence not met due to applying early – sports representatives |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – work related |
15 |
13 |
2 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – non-work related |
12 |
6 |
6 |
|
Presence and intention not met |
9 |
4 |
5 |
|
Intention not met |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
English requirement not met |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Good character not met |
9 |
0 |
9 |
|
Full capacity* not met |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
TOTALS |
74 |
38 |
36 |
The data is grouped by calendar year based on when an application was considered by the Minister of Internal Affairs or their delegate. These figures have been manually compiled and therefore may be subject to error.
*As defined in the Citizenship Act 1977, a person shall be deemed to be of full capacity if not of unsound mind. Where an applicant is not of full capacity to make decisions about their citizenship status on their own, the Minister considers an application presented on their behalf by their duly-appointed Welfare Guardian.
July – December 2019 figures
Released 2 July 2021:
Between 1 July and 31 December 2019, a total of 16,911 people were granted New Zealand citizenship. This brings the total for the year to 31,030.
The table below provides the number of applications considered for a grant of citizenship under section 9(1)(c) from 1 July 2019 to 31 December 2019.
|
Date range |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 July 2019 to 31 December 2019 |
59 |
41 |
18 |
Types of Section 9(1)(c) applications
The table below details the standard requirements that were not met for consideration under section 9(1)(c).
|
Requirement(s) not met |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Presence not met due to applying early |
4 |
1 |
3 |
|
Presence not met due to applying early – sports representatives |
3 |
2 |
0 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – work related |
15 |
15 |
0 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – non-work related |
13 |
12 |
1 |
|
Presence and intention not met |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Presence and full capacity* not met |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Good character not met |
14 |
0 |
14 |
|
Full capacity* not met |
7 |
7 |
0 |
|
TOTALS |
59 |
41 |
18 |
The data is grouped by calendar year based on when an application was considered by the Minister of Internal Affairs or their delegate. These figures have been manually compiled and therefore may be subject to error.
*As defined in the Citizenship Act 1977, a person shall be deemed to be of full capacity if not of unsound mind. Where an applicant is not of full capacity to make decisions about their citizenship status on their own, the Minister considers an application presented on their behalf by their duly-appointed Welfare Guardian.
January – June 2019 figures
Released 2 July 2021:
Between 1 January and 30 June 2019, a total of 16,102 people were granted New Zealand citizenship.
The table below provides the number of applications considered for a grant of citizenship under section 9(1)(c) from 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2019.
|
Date range |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 January 2019 to 30 June 2019 |
27 |
20 |
7 |
Types of Section 9(1)(c) applications
The table below details the standard requirements that were not met for consideration under section 9(1)(c).
|
Requirement(s) not met |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Presence not met due to applying early |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Presence not met due to applying early and representing New Zealand in sport |
4 |
4 |
0 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – work related |
5 |
3 |
2 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – non-work related |
7 |
7 |
0 |
|
Presence and intention not clearly met |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Good character not met |
5 |
0 |
5 |
|
Full capacity* not met |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
TOTALS |
27 |
20 |
7 |
The data is grouped by calendar year based on when an application was considered by the Minister of Internal Affairs or their delegate. These figures have been manually compiled and therefore may be subject to error.
*As defined in the Citizenship Act 1977, a person shall be deemed to be of full capacity if not of unsound mind. Where an applicant is not of full capacity to make decisions about their citizenship status on their own, the Minister considers an application presented on their behalf by their duly-appointed Welfare Guardian.
July – December 2018 figures
Released 27 March 2019:
Citizenship grants made under section 9(1)(c)
Between 1 July 2018 and 31 December 2018, a total of 14,133 people were approved to be granted New Zealand citizenship. This brings the total for the year to 32,381.The table below provides the number of applications considered for a grant of citizenship under section 9(1)(c) from 1 July 2018 to 31 December 2018.
|
Date range |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 July 2018 and 31 December 2018 |
46 |
41 |
5 |
Types of Section 9(1)(c) applications
The table below details the standard requirements that were not met for consideration under section 9(1)(c).
|
Requirement(s) not met |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Presence not met due to applying early |
7 |
6 |
1 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – work related |
19 |
19 |
0 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – non-work related |
9 |
7 |
2 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – work related and travel – non-work related |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Intention to reside not met |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Presence and intention not met |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Good character not met |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Full capacity* not met |
7 |
7 |
0 |
|
TOTALS |
46 |
41 |
5 |
The data is grouped by calendar year based on when an application was considered by the Minister of Internal Affairs or their delegate. These figures have been manually compiled and therefore may be subject to error.
*As defined in the Citizenship Act 1977, a person shall be deemed to be of full capacity if not of unsound mind.
January – June 2018 figures
Released 7 August 2018:
Citizenship grants made under section 9(1)(c)
Between 1 January 2018 and 30 June 2018, a total of 18,248 people were granted New Zealand citizenship.
The table below provides the number of applications considered for a grant of citizenship under section 9(1)(c) from 1 January 2018 to 30 June 2018.
|
Date range |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 January 2018 and 30 June 2018 |
47 |
38 |
9 |
Types of Section 9(1)(c) applications
The table below details the standard requirements that were not met for consideration under section 9(1)(c).
|
Requirement(s) not met |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Presence not met due to applying early |
8 |
5 |
3 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – work related |
17 |
17 |
0 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – non-work related |
9 |
7 |
2 |
|
Entitlement to reside and presence not met |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Presence and intention not met |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Intention to reside and Good character not met |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Sufficient knowledge of the English language not met |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Full capacity* not met |
6 |
6 |
0 |
|
TOTALS |
47 |
38 |
9 |
The data is grouped by calendar year based on when an application was considered by the Minister of Internal Affairs or their delegate. These figures have been manually compiled and therefore may be subject to error.
*As defined in the Citizenship Act 1977, a person shall be deemed to be of full capacity if not of unsound mind.
July – December 2017 figures
Released 15 March 2018:
Citizenship grants made under section 9(1)(c)
Between 1 July 2017 and 31 December 2017, a total of 19,409 people were granted New Zealand citizenship.
The table below provides the number of applications considered for a grant of citizenship under section 9(1)(c) from 1 July 2017 to 31 December 2017.
|
Date range |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 July 2017 to 31 December 2017 |
47 |
30 |
17 |
Types of Section 9(1)(c) applications
The table below details the standard requirements that were not met for consideration under section 9(1)(c).
|
Requirement(s) not met |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Presence not met due to applying early |
6 |
1 |
5 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – work related |
18 |
18 |
0 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – non-work related |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Entitlement to reside and presence not met |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Presence and intention not met |
6 |
2 |
4 |
|
Entitlement to reside and intention not met |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Presence, entitlement to reside and intention not met |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Intention not met |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Good character not met |
6 |
1 |
5 |
|
Full capacity not met |
4 |
4 |
0 |
|
TOTALS |
47 |
30 |
17 |
The data is grouped by calendar year based on when an application was considered by the Minister of Internal Affairs or their delegate. These figures have been manually compiled and therefore may be subject to error.
*As defined in the Citizenship Act 1977, a person shall be deemed to be of full capacity if not of unsound mind.
See earlier releases of the information above: August 2017 release
See also: Statistics for New Zealand Citizenship and Summary deprivation volumes
Grants under section 9
Released 15 March 2018:
2017 citizenship grants made under sections 9(1)(a), 9(1)(b), 9(1)(c) and 9(1)(d)
The table below provides the number of grants made under sections 9(1)(a), 9(1)(b), 9(1)(c) and 9(1)(d) for the calendar year 2017. The data has been manually compiled and may be subject to human error.
|
Year |
9(1)(a) |
9(1)(b) |
9(1)(c) |
9(1)(d) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2017 |
4196 |
30 |
43 |
0 |
Citizenship grants made under section 9(1)(c)
Between 1 January 2017 and 30 June 2017, a total of 17,041 people were granted New Zealand citizenship.
The table below provides the number of applications considered for a grant of citizenship under section 9(1)(c) from 1 January 2017 to 30 June 2017.
|
Date range |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 January 2017 to 30 June 2017 |
32 |
13 |
19 |
Types of Section 9(1)(c) applications
The table below details the standard requirements that were not met for consideration under section 9(1)(c).
|
Requirement(s) not met |
Number considered |
Approved |
Not approved |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Presence not met due to applying early |
6 |
1 |
5 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – work related |
6 |
6 |
0 |
|
Presence not met due to travel – non-work related |
4 |
2 |
2 |
|
Presence not met due to being primarily based overseas |
4 |
1 |
3 |
|
Presence not met and intention not clearly met |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Entitlement to reside and intention |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Presence, entitlement to reside and intention not met |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Good character not met |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Full capacity not met |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
TOTALS |
32 |
13 |
19 |
The data is based on when an application was considered by the Minister of Internal Affairs or their delegate. These figures have been manually compiled and therefore may be subject to error.
Released 23 February 2017:
2012 - 2016 citizenship grants made under sections 9(1)(a), 9(1)(b), 9(1)(c) and 9(1)(d)
The table below provides the number of grants made under sections 9(1)(a), 9(1)(b), 9(1)(c) and 9(1)(d) for each calendar year between 2012 and 2016. The data is grouped by calendar year based on when an application was approved by the Minister of Internal Affairs. The data has been manually compiled and may be subject to human error.
|
Year |
9(1)(a) |
9(1)(b) |
9(1)(c) |
9(1)(d) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2012 |
3629 |
12 |
24 |
0 |
|
2013 |
3617 |
13 |
36 |
1 |
|
2014 |
3953 |
23 |
23 |
1 |
|
2015 |
4007 |
28 |
20 |
0 |
|
2016 |
4002 |
23 |
29 |
1 |
Applicants who are under the age of 16 years are assessed under section 9(1)(a).
On average, approximately 30,000 people are granted New Zealand citizenship each year.
2008 - 2011 citizenship grants made under sections 9(1)(a), 9(1)(b), 9(1)(c) and 9(1)(d)
The table below provides the number of grants made under sections 9(1)(a), 9(1)(b), 9(1)(c) and 9(1)(d) for each calendar year between 2008 and 2011. The data has been grouped by calendar year based on when an application was approved by the Minister of Internal Affairs. The data has been manually compiled and may be subject to human error.
|
Year |
9(1)(a) |
9(1)(b) |
9(1)(c) |
9(1)(d) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2008 |
3700 |
0 |
13 |
0 |
|
2009 |
2597 |
6 |
11 |
2 |
|
2010 |
1963 |
4 |
12 |
1 |
|
2011 |
2716 |
3 |
10 |
1 |
