By Gill Bikram Singh 
Auckland : New Zealand continues to welcome immigrants by granting residency and citizenship, signifying trust and a long-term commitment to those who call it home. In 2024, 39,914 foreign-born individuals received New Zealand citizenship, with 5,777 of them being Indian nationals, making up 14.47% of the total. Indians were the second-largest group after United Kingdom nationals, while South Africans surpassed Filipinos to secure the third position.
Significant Increase in Pacific Islanders’ Citizenship
There was a 67% increase in the number of Pacific Islanders becoming New Zealand citizens. Among them, Tonga re-entered the top 10 countries, ranking eighth. Meanwhile, Australia dropped off the list. Over 700 Germans took advantage of a law change in June 2024, allowing them to retain dual citizenship while acquiring New Zealand citizenship. In contrast, Chinese nationals must renounce their original citizenship, resulting in a lower number of applicants from China.
Indians Consistently Among the Top Citizenship Applicants
For over a decade, Indians have consistently been among the leading groups acquiring New Zealand citizenship. Between January 2013 and November 2023, Indians ranked second after the United Kingdom (including England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Great Britain) and were followed by South Africans.
Historical data from 1949 to 2014 reveals that over a quarter of foreign-born New Zealand citizens originated from Britain, followed by China and Samoa. However, by 2023, India had moved into the second position and has now maintained its place at the top for two consecutive years.
Why Citizenship Matters
Citizenship signifies a commitment to New Zealand and provides practical benefits such as the ability to obtain a New Zealand passport, which facilitates visa-free travel to many countries. Many Indians who become New Zealand citizens exchange their Indian blue passports for the black-covered New Zealand passport, opening up new global travel opportunities.
The foundation for New Zealand citizenship was laid with the British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act 1948, with the first independent passport issued in 1949. Between 1997 and 2002, approximately 8,000 Indians became New Zealand citizens.
Requirements for New Zealand Citizenship
- Residency Duration:
- Applicants must have legally resided in New Zealand for at least five years.
- They must spend 240 days or more in the country annually and a total of 1,350 days over five years.
- This rule has been in place since April 21, 2005—before that, only three years of residence was required.
- Commitment to New Zealand:
- Applicants must demonstrate an intention to continue living in New Zealand.
- Language Proficiency:
- Basic knowledge of English is required to participate fully in New Zealand society.
- Good Character:
- Applicants must have a clean criminal record and no serious offenses.
- Special Provisions for Children:
- Children under 16 years have simplified and less stringent criteria.
Benefits of New Zealand Citizenship
New Zealand citizenship provides several advantages, including:
- Voting rights
- Access to public services
- Eligibility for a New Zealand passport
- A sense of belonging to New Zealand’s future
Application Fees
- Adults: NZD 470.20
- Children: NZD 235.10
New Zealand citizenship offers both practical and symbolic value, reinforcing one’s connection to a new homeland while expanding global mobility.