How to become a citizen of NZ

If you are not a New Zealand citizen by birth, descent, or adoption, and you meet the requirements, you can apply to the New Zealand government for a grant of citizenship.

If you have lived in New Zealand for a minimum of five years, you’re eligible to apply for citizenship. To become a citizen you must intend to continue living in New Zealand, can speak basic English and must be what the government calls “of good character”. You need to know:

your parents’ citizenship when you were born

your passport or travel document number (or your parent’s, if you are a child applying with your parent).

It doesn’t matter what kind of visa you had during your five years in New Zealand, as long as you have lived here legally during that time. If you’re found to have been residing in New Zealand illegally or have overstayed your visa, you’ll face deportation. Not only must you have been living in New Zealand for the past five years, you must also have spent a requisite amount of time in the country during those five years.

Becoming a New Zealand citizen will give you the same privileges as a New Zealand born person.

When you apply for New Zealand citizenship by grant, you need to provide documents to prove your identity, such as:

your birth certificate or birth record

your passport or travel document.

You also need a witness to support your application. That witness must have a New Zealand passport, not be a family member and have known you for at least 12 months.

The application process will take about 12 months.

Under the red traffic light, Palmerston North Citizens Advice Bureau is closed for faceto-face inquiries. Call 357 0647 or 0800 367 222.