Should I apply for NZ citizenship

[nannytothequeen]

I've been living in NZ for 16 years as a permanent resident. Travel on my UK passport. My kids have two passports but generally travel on their kiwi passports. I travel a fair bit, but not really to Europe - only the Uk., Asia, the Pacific and Oz. I am feeling that my passport might be less useful come March and am wondering if I should get a kiwi passport. I would hang onto my uk passport as I don't want to give up my uk citizenship. Any thoughts?

Do it! I'm a kiwi in the UK for 17 years and I really need to get my UK citizenship sorted!

Do it. I’m a kiwi in the UK, been here 10yrs and have citizenship through my Dad.
I love having both passports, it gives me options.

Dual citizenship in NZ is perfectly normal. In fact in my team of 6 at work only one person isn’t a dual citizen.

Why wouldn't you?

I guess I have always thought why bother?

Do you get any benefits while you are living in NZ to having NZ citizenship? Ie reduced stamp duty or cheaper access to healthcare/schooling? Otherwise I'm not sure I'd bother.

We all have British and Aussie passports and it's an admin pain to keep them all up and for no real benefit. Occasionally it's handy - we recently went to Vietnam and British visitors are not required to get a visa whereas Australian passport holders did, so we entered Vietnam on our British passports. For us, there are fairly limited times when having the two are of any benefit.

I’m thinking it’ll be useful to have the option come next year...

I am a big believer in regularising your citizenship in the country you are living in, as you never know when the rules might change. Look at what’s happening to the Windrush immigrants in the UK! If you are entitled to it, I would sort it out straight away. I’m currently in an 18 month long queue for Aussie citizenship, the massive delay was caused by them trying to toughen up the citizenship requirements ( and failing) so I can’t wait to get it sorted out! Until it’s sorted I can only leave the country if I pay over $300 for a residents return visa, and I cant get security clearance at work as I’m only a Permanent resident! I really think citizenship is a privilege and don’t understand why you wouldn’t get it.

I don't really get the dilemma. It's not like you have to give one up.

Plus surely the shorter / quicker queues when you come back into NZ after travelling make it a no-brainer.

I am going to get NZ citizenship then you don't need to keep getting visa moved you also don't need to renew you British one just get one next time you need it. Once you have a british one you can always have one so you only need to renew if you need it. You do need either a PR sticker or a kiwi passport to live in NZ. Also seams alot similar to get a kiwi passport

You don’t need to renew your british one like another poster already mentioned. I’m both a New Zealand and British citizen but only have a current UK passport. I live in the UK. If I ever move back to NZ, I won’t renew my british one.

It really depends on how much you travel in and out of both countries, as to whether or not it's worth maintaining both passports.

I'm in the same position, trying to weigh up whether it's worth the money and going through the ceremony (I went to my friends and it took hours!). There's no benefit at the moment as permanent residency gives you the same rights but I guess it would be peace of mind for the future. Maybe I'll apply next year if I find a spare $500 and a few hours...!

I would do it if it's an opportunity open to you. Govts change rules and you don't know what's down the line. Maybe no problems, but it's insurance.

Wine, that's what I was thinking. As a pr I have the same entitlements as a citizen. Now anyway.

Most British I know when I was in NZ are just permanent residents. There weren’t any benefit to being a citizen at all. It sounds like things haven’t changed. We are nothing like Australia and I have never heard about us deporting people back to where they come from.

You should do it to protect yourself for if any rules change - look at how the rules changed this year over home ownership for non-residents.

I’m getting mine done this year after 6 years in NZ as do t want to get caught out for any reason in the future. Also makes traveling trans-Tasman easier.