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A2.35 New Zealand citizens

A2.35.1 Evidence of New Zealand citizenship

See also Immigration Act 2009 s 13(2)

  1. To establish his or her right to enter New Zealand, a New Zealand citizen must prove his or her citizenship and establish his or her identity by complying with border requirements.
  2. The only acceptable evidence of New Zealand citizenship at a port of entry is:
    1. a current New Zealand passport; or
    2. a valid endorsement in the person’s foreign passport, or electronic record, indicating the fact of New Zealand citizenship (see A20.5); or
    3. a returning resident’s visa (RRV) issued on the basis of New Zealand citizenship under the Immigration Act 1987 in a valid foreign passport, until the expiry of the passport in which the RRV is endorsed.

      Note: A New Zealand citizen's foreign passport issued by a country that has legislation appearing to forbid dual nationality is considered to be valid unless the issuing country specifically declares it to be invalid.

A2.35.5 New Zealand citizens returning without passports

In certain circumstances, an INZ branch or MFAT post may request that the immigration officer at a port of entry in New Zealand not demand to see a passport of a New Zealand citizen, but only if:

  1. the situation is one of emergency or requiring compassion (eg, death or serious illness); and
  2. there is not enough time for a New Zealand passport to be issued.

    Note: in most cases, a passport can be issued in less than 24 hours.

A2.35.10 Procedures for New Zealand citizens returning without passports

  1. An immigration officer at the INZ branch or MFAT post must verify that the traveller is a New Zealand citizen from passport records held at the post or branch or by other means.
  2. An immigration officer must contact the INZ branch responsible for the relevant port of entry, requesting that an immigration officer not demand to see a New Zealand passport from a particular passenger when they arrive in New Zealand.
  3. An immigration officer must provide the following details of the passenger:
    1. flight number and date of arrival; and
    2. full name; and
    3. place of birth; and
    4. date of birth; and
    5. New Zealand passport number (if available); and
    6. other identification carried.
  4. An immigration officer must also provide:
    1. confirmation that the passenger is a New Zealand citizen; and
    2. the name and designation of the immigration officer making the request; and
    3. the INZ branch or MFAT post location.
  5. Officers with Schedule 1-3 delegations are authorised to determine these requests and must notify their decisions to the New Zealand Customs Service before the passenger's arrival, and if possible, to the initiating branch or post and/or the passenger.

Effective 29/11/2010

IN THIS SECTION

A2.1 Types of acceptable travel document

A2.5 Criteria for acceptable travel documents

A2.10 Acceptable travel documents

A2.15 Unacceptable travel documents

A2.20 When acceptable travel documents are not available

A2.25 Refugee travel documents

A2.30 Taiwan passports

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