Balance New Zealand believes that immigration has long been one of New Zealand’s greatest strengths. Migrants and their families have built businesses, strengthened the workforce, enriched local communities, and helped shape the country we know today. A well-managed immigration system supports economic growth, addresses skill shortages, and ensures New Zealand remains a welcoming destination for those willing to contribute to the nation.
At the same time, Balance New Zealand believes that citizenship is a privilege that carries both rights and responsibilities. Becoming a New Zealand citizen should reflect a genuine and lasting commitment to the country, its laws, its democratic institutions, and its way of life.
This policy outlines Balance New Zealand’s approach to permanent residency, the pathway to citizenship, the requirements for new citizens, and the standards expected throughout the immigration process. The aim is to provide a clear, fair, and well-understood system that welcomes new New Zealanders while strengthening the value of New Zealand citizenship.
Balance New Zealand believes that immigration and citizenship policy must be guided by a clear set of principles.
First, New Zealand must remain a welcoming country that values the contribution of migrants while maintaining a clear and consistent immigration framework.
Second, citizenship should be earned through demonstrated commitment to New Zealand, including sustained time spent living in the country, a willingness to participate in society, and an understanding of New Zealand’s laws and institutions.
Third, the rights and responsibilities that come with citizenship must be clearly distinguished from those of permanent residency, ensuring that both pathways remain valuable while reflecting different levels of commitment to New Zealand.
Fourth, applicants must be treated fairly, consistently, and transparently throughout the immigration process.
Finally, immigration and citizenship policy must protect the integrity of New Zealand’s democratic institutions, public services, and national identity.
Balance New Zealand believes that New Zealand citizenship represents a significant and meaningful status that carries clear rights, responsibilities, and entitlements.
New Zealand citizens are full participants in the life of the nation and enjoy a range of entitlements that reflect their permanent commitment to the country.
New Zealand citizens will be entitled to:
Access to New Zealand Superannuation will be available to citizens who have held New Zealand citizenship for at least five years and who meet the standard age and other eligibility requirements.
These entitlements reflect the central role that citizens play in the democratic, social, and economic life of New Zealand.
Balance New Zealand recognises that permanent residency provides a stable and valuable status for those who have established their lives in New Zealand but have not yet completed the pathway to citizenship.
Permanent residents are welcomed members of New Zealand’s communities and contribute meaningfully to the economy, the workforce, and the cultural life of the country. Under Balance New Zealand’s policy, permanent residents will continue to enjoy clear and meaningful rights, with additional entitlements becoming available as their commitment to New Zealand is demonstrated through sustained residence.
From the point at which permanent residency is granted, permanent residents will be entitled to:
After a qualifying period of three consecutive years during which the permanent resident has been physically located in New Zealand for at least 320 days in each 12-month period,
Permanent residents will also be entitled to:
Permanent residents will not be entitled to:
Balance New Zealand believes this framework ensures that permanent residents are recognised for their contribution to New Zealand while reserving certain entitlements for those who have completed the pathway to citizenship.
Permanent residents may also be subject to deportation where serious criminal offending or threats to national security occur, consistent with existing legislation governing residency conditions.
Balance New Zealand believes there is a clear and meaningful relationship between citizenship and the rights that come with full participation in New Zealand society.
Permanent residency provides a stable foundation for those who have chosen to make New Zealand their home, and Balance New Zealand recognises the significant economic, social, and cultural contributions that permanent residents make to the country. However, certain rights, particularly the right to vote, the right to stand for Parliament, and access to government-funded support such as benefits, New Zealand Superannuation, and Student Loans, reflect a level of commitment that extends beyond the right to live and work in New Zealand.
Voting in elections shapes the future direction of the country, the laws that govern it, and the institutions that serve every New Zealander. Balance New Zealand believes this responsibility should be exercised by those who have made a formal and lasting commitment to New Zealand through citizenship.
In a similar way, access to government-funded support reflects a shared social contract between the country and its citizens. New Zealand citizens contribute to public services throughout their lifetimes and are, in turn, supported by those services when needed. Access to New Zealand Superannuation, as a lifelong public commitment to citizens in retirement, will require a minimum of five years of citizenship in addition to the standard age and eligibility criteria.
Balance New Zealand does not believe that this approach diminishes the value of permanent residency. Permanent residents remain welcomed members of New Zealand communities, and the pathway from permanent residency to citizenship remains clear, fair, and achievable for those who choose to make that commitment.
By drawing this distinction, Balance New Zealand seeks to strengthen the value of New Zealand citizenship while ensuring that the rights connected to democratic participation and government-funded support remain meaningfully tied to full membership in New Zealand society.
Balance New Zealand believes that the pathway to citizenship must reflect a genuine and ongoing connection to New Zealand.
To be eligible to apply for citizenship, permanent residents must have been physically located in New Zealand for at least 320 days in each 12-month period over the previous five years.
This requirement ensures that applicants for citizenship have spent the majority of each year in New Zealand and have demonstrated a sustained commitment to building their life in the country.
By strengthening the residency requirement, Balance New Zealand seeks to ensure that citizenship is granted to those who have meaningfully participated in New Zealand life rather than those who hold permanent residency primarily for travel or convenience.
Balance New Zealand believes that all applicants for citizenship must be able to participate fully in New Zealand society, which includes the ability to communicate effectively in English.
For this reason, all applicants for citizenship will be required to meet an English language standard demonstrated through a recognised English language test.
Strong English language ability supports successful participation in employment, education, civic life, and everyday community engagement. It also ensures that new citizens are able to understand their rights and responsibilities and engage confidently with New Zealand’s democratic institutions.
Balance New Zealand will introduce a comprehensive citizenship test to ensure that those seeking to become New Zealand citizens demonstrate a clear understanding of New Zealand’s laws, democratic institutions, and way of life.
The test will consist of 35 questions, with applicants required to correctly answer at least 30 questions in order to pass.
The test will assess knowledge in the following areas:
This test ensures that those granted citizenship have meaningfully engaged with the values, responsibilities, and institutions that define New Zealand.
Balance New Zealand believes that a well-prepared citizenship test strengthens public confidence in the citizenship process and supports new citizens in their long-term participation in New Zealand society.
Balance New Zealand recognises that certain individuals may be eligible for exceptions to the standard citizenship requirements based on their particular circumstances.
Exceptions will apply in the following cases:
These exceptions reflect both the practical reality of international service and the close relationship between New Zealand and Australia.
Balance New Zealand believes that the citizenship system must be administered with integrity, consistency, and transparency.
Applications will be processed within reasonable timeframes, decisions will be communicated clearly to applicants, and comprehensive guidance will be made available throughout the process.
The Department of Internal Affairs will continue to administer citizenship applications under the Citizenship Act 1977, supported by appropriate resources to ensure that the system remains efficient, fair, and accessible to all eligible applicants.
Balance New Zealand will also support the regular review of immigration and citizenship settings to ensure they remain aligned with New Zealand’s economic, social, and demographic needs.
Balance New Zealand believes that New Zealand’s strength lies in its ability to welcome new people while maintaining clear and consistent standards.
By strengthening the pathway to citizenship, clearly distinguishing the rights of citizens and permanent residents, introducing a comprehensive citizenship test, and ensuring a strong English language standard, New Zealand can continue to attract people who genuinely wish to build their lives here and contribute to the country’s future.
This policy aims to ensure that becoming a New Zealand citizen remains a significant and valued achievement, reflecting both the privileges and the responsibilities of full membership in New Zealand society.
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