NZ citizenship: an 18-month wait from hell

It's a long wait for the New Zealand passport. (Image: Getty)

Mon, 21 Oct 2024

Gaining New Zealand citizenship is not unlike being a child waiting for Christmas. You spend an entire year adhering to the rules and being good, and at Christmastime, you are rewarded.To become an NZ citizen by grant, one must undergo a rollercoaster of medical and police checks, visa renewals and stress. Hence, you need to be good (in character at least).But unlike my Christmas analogy, NZ citizenship takes almost two years to be granted.I find this surprising and infuriating.Case officersFull disclosure: my family and I are six months into w...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.
Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Finance

Grenon seeks to end ‘futile’ NZME board stoush

It's time for the current board to fold 'em, says coup orchestrator.

Pattrick Smellie 2:00pm

Retail

Kathmandu recovery bright spot

The retailer declared earnings above previously stated guidance.

Gregor Thompson 1:35pm

Technology

StaplesVR launches $7m funding round to accelerate growth

The technology company has been growing organically for several years.

Greg Hurrell 1:10pm

StaplesVR launches $7m funding round to accelerate growth

Sponsored

“Extraordinary” uptake for Auckland’s new growth hub

63% of lots at Spedding Road precinct sold ahead of completion.

Spedding Road

Sponsored

Research shows AI-based attacks causing concern and senior leaders overestimating cybersecurity readiness

Research highlights from Datacom’s State of Cybersecurity Index show AI-based attacks are top of mind and senior leaders might be overestimating their organisations’ readiness to recover from cyber incidents.

Datacom