New Zealand

Last Updated: 2026-04-02

Official Portal: Department of Internal Affairs — Citizenship

Embassy Finder: New Zealand Embassies and Consulates

Quick Facts

Category	Details
Residency for naturalization	5 years of lawful residence, including at least 240 days of physical presence in each of those 5 years
Language requirement	Sufficient knowledge of the English language to converse on everyday topics
Civics test	No formal civics test; knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship is assessed during the application
Processing time	3—6 months for standard applications; up to 12 months during peak periods
Naturalization fee	NZD 470.20 (approximately USD 280)
Dual citizenship	Fully permitted since 2002; no restrictions
Citizenship by birth in New Zealand	Automatic if born in New Zealand and at least one parent is a NZ citizen or permanent resident
Citizenship by descent	Available to persons born outside New Zealand to a parent who is a NZ citizen other than by descent only
Governing law	Citizenship Act 1977 (as amended, particularly by the Citizenship Amendment Act 2005)

Dual Citizenship

New Zealand fully permits dual citizenship without any restrictions. This has been the case since the Citizenship Amendment Act 2002 removed the last remaining barriers.

Key provisions:

New Zealand citizens who acquire a foreign citizenship do not lose their New Zealand citizenship. There is no automatic-loss provision.
Foreign nationals who naturalize as New Zealand citizens are not required to renounce their prior citizenship. They may hold as many citizenships as they wish.
New Zealand citizens by birth, descent, or naturalization are all treated equally regarding dual citizenship rights.
The government actively acknowledges that many New Zealanders hold multiple citizenships, particularly given the large diaspora in Australia, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere.

Historical context: Prior to 1977, New Zealand citizenship law was closely tied to British subject status. The Citizenship Act 1977 established a standalone New Zealand citizenship. The 2002 amendment removed the provision that caused automatic loss of citizenship upon voluntary acquisition of another nationality, completing New Zealand’s transition to full acceptance of multiple nationality.

Trans-Tasman relationship: New Zealand citizens have the right to live and work in Australia under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement (1973), and vice versa. However, this does not confer citizenship — it is a bilateral migration agreement. New Zealand citizens in Australia who wish to become Australian citizens must apply through Australia’s naturalization process.

Acquisition of Nationality

By Birth (Jus Soli — conditional)

A person born in New Zealand on or after 1 January 2006 acquires New Zealand citizenship at birth if at least one parent is:

A New Zealand citizen, OR
A person entitled to reside indefinitely in New Zealand (permanent resident).

Key notes:

This is a conditional jus soli rule. Birth in New Zealand alone is not sufficient if neither parent is a citizen or permanent resident.
For births before 1 January 2006, all persons born in New Zealand acquired citizenship automatically by birth (unconditional jus soli). This was narrowed by the Citizenship Amendment Act 2005.
Children born in New Zealand to temporary visa holders, visitors, or undocumented parents do not acquire citizenship at birth under the post-2005 rules.

By Descent

A person born outside New Zealand may acquire citizenship by descent if at least one parent is a New Zealand citizen other than by descent only at the time of the birth.

Key details:

This prevents indefinite generational transmission. A person who holds NZ citizenship only by descent (and not by birth in NZ or by grant/naturalization) cannot pass it to a child born overseas.
Registration of the birth with the Department of Internal Affairs or a New Zealand embassy is required.
There is no time limit for registration, but the child must apply for a citizenship by descent certificate.

Exception: If the parent who is a citizen by descent only has resided in New Zealand for at least 3 years at any time, they can transmit citizenship to a child born abroad. This provides a practical escape from the generational limit for families with a genuine connection to New Zealand.

By Adoption

A child adopted under an adoption order made in New Zealand acquires New Zealand citizenship if at least one adoptive parent is a New Zealand citizen.

Conditions:

The adoption must be finalized under New Zealand law (Adoption Act 1955).
Intercountry adoptions must comply with the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption (New Zealand is a party).
The child acquires citizenship from the date the adoption order is made.

By Marriage

Marriage to a New Zealand citizen does not automatically confer citizenship. A foreign spouse must apply for naturalization through the standard pathway. However, the spouse may benefit from an expedited permanent residency pathway (partnership-based resident visa), which can shorten the overall timeline to citizenship eligibility.

By Naturalization (Grant of Citizenship)

Requirement	Details
Permanent residency	Must hold a New Zealand permanent resident visa or be a resident visa holder entitled to be in New Zealand indefinitely
Physical presence	Present in New Zealand for at least 1,350 days during the 5-year period immediately preceding the application, AND at least 240 days in each of those 5 years
Good character	Must be of good character (criminal background check conducted; serious convictions are a bar)
English language	Sufficient knowledge of English to hold a conversation on everyday topics (assessed informally during interview)
Intent to continue residing	Must intend to continue residing in New Zealand or be employed in Crown service, international organization, or NZ-based company
Renunciation	Not required — dual citizenship is fully accepted
Fee	NZD 470.20 (adults); NZD 204.40 (children under 16)

Ceremony requirement: All applicants aged 14 and over must attend a citizenship ceremony and make the oath or affirmation of allegiance. Ceremonies are held regularly by local councils throughout New Zealand.

Loss and Renunciation

Voluntary Renunciation

A New Zealand citizen may renounce citizenship by making a declaration of renunciation to the Minister of Internal Affairs.

Conditions:

The person must hold or have been assured the citizenship of another country.
The Minister may refuse to register the renunciation if New Zealand is at war, or if the renunciation would not be in the public interest.
The person must not be rendered stateless.

Involuntary Loss

New Zealand citizenship can be lost only in very limited circumstances:

Fraud: Citizenship obtained by fraud, false representation, or willful concealment of a material fact may be deprived by the Minister, but only within specified time limits and subject to judicial review.
There is no automatic loss for acquiring another nationality.
There is no loss for extended absence from New Zealand.

Note: The Citizenship Act 1977 provides strong protections against involuntary loss of citizenship. The threshold for deprivation is high, and the person has the right to a hearing before the courts.

Restoration of Nationality

Persons who previously held New Zealand citizenship and renounced it (or lost it under earlier legislation) may apply for a grant of citizenship (re-naturalization).