Existing Passports Unchanged by New Law

20/4/2005

From tomorrow – 21 April – some important changes affecting New Zealand citizenship and passports take effect, the Department of Internal Affairs has confirmed.

David Philp, Passports Manager for the Department of Internal Affairs says all newly issued New Zealand passports will have a five-year validity period.

“This only applies to newly issued passports. Existing passports are not affected and can continue to be used until their expiry date, at which point the replacement passport will be issued for a period of five years. Passports already being processed before the law change will also be issued for ten years,” says David Philp.

Some key citizenship requirements also change tomorrow. Geoff May, Citizenship Manager for the Department of Internal Affairs, says from 21 April applicants will need to have applied for and/or obtained permanent residency to qualify for New Zealand citizenship. “However, people who have already obtained or applied for New Zealand residency will be subject to the current three year requirement,” says Geoff May.

These changes result from the passing of the Passports Amendment Act and Citizenship Amendment Act in Parliament last week.

Other changes include:

• removal of the preferential treatment for spouses of New Zealand citizens, meaning all people applying for citizenship on or after tomorrow will be treated the same;
• no longer counting the time spent in New Zealand on temporary permits towards the qualifying period of residence for citizenship;
• no longer printing name endorsements in newly issued passports;
• providing for the disclosure of New Zealand travel document information, which will assist border control authorities to identify persons carrying unauthorised travel documents prior to departure;
• significantly increased penalties for offences under the Citizenship Amendment Act; and
• from 1 January 2006 children born in New Zealand of non-permanent resident parents will no longer be able to claim citizenship and citizenship status.

These changes will strengthen the integrity and fairness of the New Zealand citizenship process and protect and enhance the security of the New Zealand passport.

Customers who need further information about the changes effective from tomorrow should visit the Department of Internal Affairs website or contact one of our Freephone numbers:


Passports 0800 22 50 50 Citizenship 0800 22 51 51


Contact:

Tony Wallace, Media and Communications Adviser
Identity Services, Department of Internal Affairs
Phone 04 382 3437 (direct dial) or mobile 0274 402 667
e-mail: tony.wallace@dia.govt