7136 (2017). Chris Hipkins to the Minister of Internal Affairs

7136 (2017). Chris Hipkins to the Minister of Internal Affairs: Would a child born in Australia to a New Zealand father automatically have New Zealand citizenship?

Hon Peter Dunne: In the case of a child born in Australia to a father who is at the time of birth a New Zealand citizen otherwise than by descent, then the child will be a New Zealand citizen by descent under the Citizenship Act 1977. Registration is not required in order to claim New Zealand citizenship by descent. There may be some situations where a father who is a New Zealand citizen by descent may be able to pass on New Zealand citizenship by descent status to their Australian born child, for example if the child would otherwise be stateless.