Citizenship Act 1977

New Zealand citizenship - Loss of citizenship

20: Saving of obligations incurred before loss of citizenship, etc

You could also call this:

"Still responsible for things you did before you stopped being a New Zealand citizen"

If you stop being a New Zealand citizen, you are still responsible for things you did or did not do before that happened. You have to keep doing what you are supposed to do, even if you are not a citizen anymore. This means you cannot avoid your obligations just because your citizenship status has changed.

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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=DLM444001.

Topics:

Immigration and citizenship > Becoming a citizenMoney and consumer rights > General financial obligations

19: Court review of grounds for depriving person of citizenship, or

"Checking if the government has a good reason to take away your New Zealand citizenship"

21: Evidentiary certificates, or

"Getting a certificate to prove you are a New Zealand citizen"

Part 1New Zealand citizenship
Loss of citizenship

20Saving of obligations incurred before loss of citizenship, etc

A person who ceases to be a New Zealand citizen shall not thereby be discharged from any obligation, duty, or liability in respect of any act or thing done or omitted to be done before he ceased to be a New Zealand citizen.

Compare

1948 No 15 s 25