TNAG-0902-FCO40-1112-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1979 — Page 88

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;