Citizenship Act 1977

New Zealand citizenship - Acquisition of citizenship

9B: Minister may rescind approval at any time up until applicant becomes citizen

You could also call this:

"The Minister can cancel your citizenship approval at any time before you become a citizen."

The Minister can change their mind about letting you become a citizen at any time before you officially become one. This can happen even if they already said you could become a citizen under section 8 or section 9. The Minister can do this if they are no longer sure you meet the requirements to become a citizen, before the date you are supposed to become a citizen under section 12.

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This page was last updated on 29 September 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM443874.

Topics:

Immigration and citizenship > Becoming a citizen

9A: Disqualifying convictions, or

"Certain crimes can stop you from becoming a New Zealand citizen"

10: Grant of citizenship as of right in certain cases, or

"Get New Zealand citizenship if your mum was a Kiwi when you were born"

Part 1New Zealand citizenship
Acquisition of citizenship

9BMinister may rescind approval at any time up until applicant becomes citizen

Notwithstanding that the Minister may have authorised a grant of citizenship under section 8 or section 9, the Minister may rescind that authorisation at any time before the date that the person becomes a citizen under section 12, if no longer satisfied that the person meets the requirements for a grant of citizenship.

Notes

Section 9B: inserted, on 21 April 2005, by section 7 of the Citizenship Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 43).