Requirements for NZ citizenship

In this section

Check you meet the requirements for NZ citizenship

Use this self-check tool to find out if you are eligible for New Zealand citizenship.

Presence in NZ requirements

You need to show you have been physically present in New Zealand for a certain amount of time and that you intend to continue living here.

Language requirements

You need to be able to hold a basic conversation in English to get New Zealand citizenship.

Character requirements

You need to show you are of good character to get New Zealand citizenship. If you have never been in trouble with the law, here or overseas, you meet this requirement.

Requirements if you are a child

Children do not have to meet all the same requirements as adults to get New Zealand citizenship.

Requirements if you are from Samoa

The requirements you need to meet to get New Zealand citizenship depend on when you arrived here.

If you do not meet a requirement

In rare cases, the Minister of Internal Affairs might grant New Zealand citizenship to someone who does not meet all the requirements.