Registration tag on citizenship

Press, 28 January 1988, Page 20

Registration tag on citizenship

PA Wellington Children born to New Zealand parents after 1977 could lose their claim to New Zealand citizenship if their births are not specially registered. New Zealanders’ children born overseas after January 1, 1978, should have their births registered in either New Zealand or at a New Zealand diplomatic post before they reach 22 years of age. “If this is not done, the child’s claim to New Zealand citizenship by descent is lost," the Internal Affairs Department has told the Royal Commission on Social Policy in its submission. The registration requirement is contained in-

the Citizenship Act, 1977, but is not widely publicised in New Zealand or overseas. It is in line with citizenship requirements imposed by other countries. The department is at present preparing posters and leaflets to publicise the requirement, which will not start affecting New Zealand children born overseas until the year 2000. The department is particularly concerned that many Maori people living in Australia have children who were born in that country. “It is likely that many of these parents do not know their children could lose the nationality of the land of their parents’ birth,” the submission said.