Articles tagged with Citizenship
NZ Citizenship Processing Hits Target After Six Years of Delays, Minister Says
1 month ago | 314 viewsAfter six years of delays, New Zealand's citizenship by grant processing has met timeliness targets for six consecutive months, with 94.6% of applications processed within 75 days in 2025. This improvement results from a focus on efficiency, prioritizing older applications, and has coincided with a 12% increase in applications and record processing volumes. Minister Brooke van Velden praised staff efforts and emphasized the importance of granting citizenship to those contributing to the country, while applications can be submitted online or by post.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Department of Internal Affairs citizenship processing New Zealand citizenship applications timeliness targets citizenship by grant citizenship office application backlog citizenship outcomesNew Zealand to Introduce Citizenship Test for Grant Applicants from Late 2027
1 month ago | 392 viewsMinister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden announced that from late 2027, a multi-choice test will be introduced to ensure citizenship applicants understand the responsibilities and privileges of New Zealand citizenship. The test will cover topics such as the Bill of Rights Act, human rights, democratic principles, and government structure, requiring a 75% pass mark. This measure aims to strengthen the value of citizenship by grant and will be supported by guidance resources to help applicants prepare.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Minister of Internal Affairs New Zealand Citizenship Act Department of Internal Affairs Bill of Rights Act human rights citizenship by grant democratic principles New Zealand citizenshipNew Zealand Citizenship Wait Times Cut by 72% with Faster Processing
5 months ago | 922 viewsCitizenship application wait times in New Zealand have decreased by 72% since Labour last governed, with average processing now taking 51 days compared to 180 days in October 2023. Despite consistent application numbers over the past three years, the Government has focused on efficient service delivery to reduce stress and provide certainty for applicants who have already spent at least five years in the country. Minister Brooke van Velden thanked the processing teams and emphasized the importance of reliable government services, noting applications can be submitted online or by post.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Labour New Zealand citizenship Department of Internal Affairs Government citizenship applications wait times citizenship processing New Zealand GovernmentMinister of Internal Affairs Achieves Shortest Citizenship Wait Times in Five Years
9 months ago | 978 viewsMinister Brooke van Velden highlights significant improvements in citizenship application processing, with wait times reduced from 180 to 69 days, the shortest in five years. The Department of Internal Affairs prioritized clearing the backlog, resulting in a 70% decrease in the number of people waiting for a decision. Van Velden emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of those applying for citizenship, acknowledging the efforts and sacrifices made by new Kiwis.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Minister of Internal Affairs citizenship government services efficiency Labour Department of Internal Affairs New Zealand economy cultureMinister of Internal Affairs Celebrates Decrease in Citizenship Application Wait Times
10 months ago | 988 viewsMinister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden notes a significant decrease in the number of people awaiting citizenship decisions, with the current backlog reduced to just over 13,700 from a high of 37,690 in April 2022. Efforts to streamline processes and reduce wait times have led to improved efficiency and quicker processing times, with the oldest applications now being picked up within two months compared to an 11-month delay in the past. Van Velden emphasizes the importance of celebrating the milestone of becoming a New Zealand citizen and acknowledges the contributions of individuals waiting for citizenship to the economy and communities.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Minister of Internal Affairs Citizenship by Grant application Department of Internal Affairs New Zealand citizen citizenship delays citizenship processing economy communities backlog