Dual Citizenship New Zealand

CITIZENSHIP BY BIRTH

Those born in New Zealand on or after January 1, 2006 to at least one New Zealand parent or New Zealand permanent resident at the time of birth acquire New Zealand citizenship. Those who were born in New Zealand before January 1, 2006 acquired New Zealand citizenship. Exceptions to the above include those born in New Zealand to a foreign diplomat who had immunity from jurisdiction and neither parent was a New Zealand citizen, those born on a ship or aircraft registered in another country or on an unregistered ship or aircraft of a foreign country, or those born to enemy alien parents in a place occupied by the enemy.

The following categories of people also acquire New Zealand citizenship by birth:

• Those born in New Zealand on or after January 1, 1978 who would otherwise be stateless;
• Tokelauans born in Samoa on or after April 21, 2005 for medical reasons;
• Those born on or after April 21, 2005 and found in New Zealand with unknown parents.

Those who are New Zealand citizens by birth is a New Zealand otherwise than by descent, which means they can pass New Zealand citizenship on to their children born abroad.

CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT

Those born or adopted outside New Zealand to at least one New Zealand parent who is a citizen otherwise than by descent are entitled to citizenship if they meet any of the following requirements:

• For those born between 1949 and 1977, you have a New Zealand father otherwise than by descent;
• For those born on or after January 1, 1978, you have a New Zealand parent otherwise than by descent;
• For those born on or after January 1, 1978, you have a New Zealand parent by descent and you would otherwise by stateless.

Those born outside New Zealand between 1949 and 1977 to a New Zealand mother otherwise than by descent may apply for a grant of New Zealand citizenship as of right (see below), rather than New Zealand citizenship by descent.

Those born outside New Zealand to a New Zealand parent working overseas for the public service or Armed Forces of New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau is considered to be New Zealand citizens otherwise than by descent, rather than by descent.

CITIZENSHIP BY Grant

Those meeting the following requirements may apply for New Zealand citizenship by grant:

• Right to be in New Zealand indefinitely, i.e. a New Zealand citizen by descent or permanent resident, an Australian citizen or permanent resident;
• Lived in New Zealand for the past 5 years;
• Intent to continue living in New Zealand;
• Is of good character;
• Sufficient knowledge of the English language;
• Demonstrable understanding of the responsibilities and privileges of being a New Zealand citizen.

The Minister of Internal Affairs has the discretion to reduce the residence requirement in exceptional circumstances.

Physical presence and permanent residence must have been in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau.

Time spent living outside New Zealand in Crown service under the New Zealand Government or in the public service of the Government of the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau may count as time spent in New Zealand.

Those who acquire New Zealand citizenship by grant is a New Zealand citizen otherwise than by descent, which means that he or she can pass on citizenship to children born overseas.

Special Grant

Children of New Zealand citizens may receive a special grant of New Zealand citizenship if they meet the following requirements:

• At birth, had a parent who was a New Zealand citizen by descent;
• Born outside New Zealand on or after January 1, 1949;
• Has a 'demonstrable ongoing link with New Zealand'.

Alternatively, those under age 16 may receive a special grant of New Zealand citizenship if they meet the following requirements:

• Has a parent who is either a New Zealand citizen or who has applied for and fulfills the requirements for a grant of New Zealand citizenship;
• Is a New Zealand permanent resident, or an Australian citizen or permanent resident;
• Is living in New Zealand at the time of application;
• Intent to continue living in New Zealand;
• Is of good character;
• Sufficient knowledge of the English language (does not apply for applicants younger than age 14);
• Demonstrable understanding of the responsibilities and privileges of being a New Zealand citizen (does not apply for applicants younger than age 14).

Those born outside New Zealand to or adopted by a New Zealand mother otherwise than by descent on or after January 1, 1949 and on or before December 31, 1977 are entitled to a grant of New Zealand citizenship.

CITIZENSHIP BY ADOPTION

Those adopted in New Zealand under the Adoption Act 1955 on or after January 1, 2006 by either a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or a permanent resident of the Cook Islands, Niue, or Tokelau become a New Zealand citizen.