lizard

Any of you guys know about gaining NZ citizenship. We have been here almost 5 years. We are thinking about applying for citizenship. My question is - do you still keep your British passports? This is a big consideration for us. Our children were born here and they now have both NZ and British passports.

techieguy

You can keep your British passports and you would be wise to do it and this keeps your options open...

It is very good to have an EU and Australasian passport!

St George Six

Hi the five years is not how it works not that simple, we for example have been here over five years and are not eligible for another 2 and half years.

If however you got your permanent residency before 30th April 2005 or applied before that date it is 3 years from landing.

After this date it is 5 years from when you got your permanent residency.

You also must you have spent very little time way in any one year.

For example say you had gone back to UK for 5 months, when you came back your five years would have to start again, it is the most recent five years they don't count want you did before.
Once lodged there is about a 9 month processing time.

Hope this helps and yes you can keep both passports and live and work in OZ.