Having a Child in NZ

[bikershaz]

Hi,

This might be a strange question but I don't know who else to ask.

We don't have any children yet and wondered if we have one in NZ what nationality would it be?

We are both British and if we get accepted we will get permanent residency so would a child then be a kiwi?

Just something we were talking about yesterday.

Many thanks in advance.

Shaz

[MotherBear]

I've got an idea that any child born in NZ would be a kiwi, but may also be entitled to hold dual nationality if the parents are from a different country. As usual, someone will correct me if I've got it wrong. :icon_biggrin:

[MotherBear]

Just found this:

Citizenship by birth
Since 1949 most people born in New Zealand have been New Zealand citizens by birth. Exceptions are people whose parents are foreign diplomats in New Zealand. However, people born in New Zealand on or after 1 January 2006 are only New Zealand citizens if one or both of their parents are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. For citizenship purposes New Zealand includes the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau.

All births in New Zealand must be registered at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. For people born before 1 January 2006 a birth certificate showing their birth in New Zealand is generally proof that they are citizens by birth. For people born on or after 1 January 2006 their birth record and any birth certificates will show whether they are citizens by birth.

[netchicken]

That rule came in because people were coming to NZ, having their babies and then going home again! The child then is NZ citizen and I think aided them in moving to NZ later on.

This is not just from the Pacific Islands but also from places like America. Its a strange world....

[bikershaz]

Thanks both for your replies, very helpful.

So we would, if we get accepted, be peremanent residents and I assume that our baby would have dual citizenship?

Many thanks again.

Shaz

[MotherBear]

I'm still working on this dual nationality thing. Seems to be a lot of conflicting opinions on what is now the ruling. If you get PR your child will be a NZ citizen as per the statement I reported above.

Living in Spain, I don't know how this would affect any dual nationality of the child. Are you still ordinarily resident in the UK or are you a non-resident? If you are British passport holders I would assume you could register your child in the UK, but, as I said, I'm still hunting around looking for the light at the end of a long tunnel. There's a lot of information but none of it answers the question yet.

Someone must know.

Onward, ever onward!

[fisheress]

My brother and his wife were permanent residents when their daughter was born. She now has a british, usa and kiwi passport.........dad british, mum american and she was born in NZ. Not bad hving 3 passports, I've got 2 and thought I was special :icon_razz:

Fisheress