NEW ZEALAND CITIZENSHIP ACT 1977
Citizenship by Descent
1. Under New Zealand law citizenship is now transmitted
through both male and female lines but only to the first
generation born abroad. Citizens by birth in New Zealand
and citizens by grant have the ability to transmit citizenship
2. Citizens by descent, who can no longer transmit citizen-
ship to their children born outside New Zealand, may however
apply for the grant of New Zealand citizenship and thereby
acquire this ability. In order to qualify for the grant of
New Zealand citizenship they are required to fulfil the
sane requirements as are expected of applicants of other
nationalities seeking New Zealand citizenship, ie:
(a) three years residence in New Zealand (the Minister
has discretion to accept Crown Service in lieu of
residence and also to reduce the period of residence
to one year in special cases of hardship);
(b) is entitled to reside in New Zealand permanently
under the inmigration laws;
(c) good character;
(d) knowledge of responsibilities of New Zealand
citizenship;
(e) knowledge of English;