New Zealand Citizenship

Becoming a citizen at a public ceremony is a very important step in the process of becoming a New Zealand citizen. It is an opportunity for you to publicly declare your allegiance to New Zealand and for the local Napier City community to welcome you on behalf of all New Zealanders.

Successful applicants for the granting of New Zealand citizenship are required to attend a public citizenship ceremony at the Council. At the ceremony, applicants stand before the Mayor of Napier and take the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance, declaring that they will honour HM Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of New Zealand, obey the laws of New Zealand and be a good citizen.

It is only after swearing allegiance that a person becomes a New Zealand citizen. Until they receive their certificates personally from the Mayor of Napier, they are unable to call themselves New Zealand citizens even though they have received approval from the Dept of Internal Affairs as to their suitability.

To become a New Zealand citizen you will need to contact the Department of Internal Affairs:

New Zealand Citizenship Office
PO Box 6147
Auckland 1141
Phone: (09) 362 7971
Fax: (09) 362 7905
Freephone: 0800 225 151
Web: Department of Internal Affairs

Citizenship Enquiries

Committee Administrator: Yvonne Moorcock
Phone: (06) 835 7579