No automatic right to NZ citizenship

According to stuff.co.nz: Not all babies born in this country will automatically become citizens of New Zealand under a law change coming into effect on January 1.

The change will affect some of the babies born to up to 500 couples who travel to New Zealand each year to give birth so their children can obtain a New Zealand passport. This is similar to my previous post here about USA thinking of stopping the same thing with illegal immigrants coming to have children to obtain passports.

The children born here to couples who have no claim to New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency will not be entitled to citizenship under the new rules. Fair enough I say. There is enough bludging going on in NZ as it is.

Registrar-general of Births, Deaths and Marriages Brian Clarke, said the change would only affect a small number of babies of about 500 so it seems.

"The new rules will not affect the vast majority of children born in New Zealand.

"If at least one parent is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident their new baby will be a citizen of this country. This generally includes Australian citizens and permanent residents.

Mr Clarke said that it also applied where at least one parent was a permanent resident of the Cook Islands, Tokelau or Niue.

Children born to New Zealand citizens outside of New Zealand will generally acquire New Zealand citizenship by descent as they should.

There is no reason to grant citizenship to children of non residents unless they apply and get approved as with any other person wanting to immigrate to NZ. There is a security issue there too, and I am glad that the loophole will be closed as of January 1st 2006. I only wish that USA would do the same thing soon.