Refugee Migration Into New Zealand - Children of Refugee Claimants

Children of Refugee Claimants

In an attempt to reduce the incidence of foreign nationals giving birth in New Zealand, so that their children might adopt citizenship of that country, an amendment to the Citizenship Act 1977, was introduced, and called Citizenship Amendment Act 2005. It came into force in 1 January 2006. It prescribed that all New Zealand citizenship by birth would only apply to a child where one of its parents had the right to reside in New Zealand indefinitely (i.e. New Zealand Citizens, Australian Citizens and holders of residence permits). Other children born in New Zealand would be deemed to have the same status as the parent with the most favourable status in New Zealand. The consequence was that asylum seekers who had children born in New Zealand, but had not been approved residence would not be able to claim New Zealand citizenship for their children. Should the parents be declined refugee status (as happens in 85% of cases) the children would be able to be removed from New Zealand with their parents. Since 1976 more than 40,000 refugees have settled and built a future in New Zealand.