Reacquiring Lost Citizenship in New Zealand

New Zealand has no way to resume citizenship you renounced. You would start again with residence, then citizenship by grant after five years, so look at the skilled migration, partner and investment routes.

The Citizenship Act says a person who renounced may regain citizenship only by an ordinary grant or by the Minister's discretion. There is no reduced period and no credit for the years you held it.

The ordinary grant needs five years holding a residence class visa, 1,350 days in New Zealand across them and at least 240 in each year, plus English, good character and an intention to keep living there.

The Minister's discretion allows a grant where the applicant would otherwise be stateless, or in exceptional humanitarian circumstances. If renouncing left you with no nationality, get legal advice now.

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