A resident is legally and permanently allowed to live in New Zealand although they do not have all of the rights and privileges of a New Zealand citizen. These include being able to hold a New Zealand passport, receive some educational scholarships, or represent New Zealand in some international sports. Owning rural land is also difficult for those people who are not New Zealand citizens.
People who have been resident in New Zealand for five years, and meet conditions set by the Department of Internal Affairs, are able to apply for New Zealand citizenship. For more information visit www.dia.govt.nz.