I've got some Citizenship queries
 

My wife and I are both permanent residents and we've been here almost 5 years, at the 5 year mark we were planning on going for citizenship. The main reason for this is that we've just had a baby and thought no matter where we end up in the years to come our son will always have the option of living and working in NZ/Aus and Europe.
Here's what I don't understand, we received his NZ birth certificate yesterday and it says 'Citizen by Birth - YES'.
Is our son a NZ citizen?If we wanted to get him a passport do we get him a British passport?Will he have to apply for British citizenship?
We're confused.

Re: I've got some Citizenship queries
 

Let's break this down...

New Zealand until recently operated a traditional jus soli nationality policy - that is if you were born in New Zealand and your parents didn't hold diplomatic immunity or were enemy aliens at the time of your birth then you automatically became a NZ citizen. This is still the policy in the United States and Canada but ceased in the UK in 1983 and Australia in 1986.

Since 21 April 2005 New Zealand operates a modified jus soli policy similar to the UK and Australia. This means that a person born in New Zealand requires at least one parent to be a NZ citizen or permanent resident at the time of their birth in order for them to receive NZ citizenship.

As your son was born in New Zealand whilst you were permanent citizens, then he is already a NZ citizen by birth, which his birth certificate has helpfully confirmed.

If at least one of his parents was born in the UK then your son would also automatically be a British citizen by descent.

This means he already holds the citizenship of both countries so you can apply immediately for both his NZ and British passports.

New Zealand: https://www.passports.govt.nz/

British: https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

Re: I've got some Citizenship queries
 

Great reply :)
Thanks for clearing that up.

Re: I've got some Citizenship queries
 

Congratulations on the new addition to the family!