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Today in History

6 September

1948 New Zealand citizenship established

On 6 September 1948, the British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act was passed. Before the 1948 Act came into force, people born in New Zealand were British subjects, but were not New Zealand citizens.

From 1 January 1949 New Zealand citizenship could be acquired by birth in New Zealand, descent, registration or naturalisation. Registration was the process which citizens of the Commonwealth or Ireland underwent in order to take out citizenship. Naturalisation was the process for immigrants from other countries, or 'aliens'. The prerequisites for naturalisation differed from those for registration, particularly in terms of length of residence. This dual system remained intact until the Citizenship Act 1977.

The situation of those classed as 'enemy aliens' during and after the war was particularly difficult. Herbert (Bert) Roth fell into this category, even though he arrived as a Jewish refugee from Nazi-occupied Austria. Restrictions on his ability to hold office in public organisations in New Zealand led him to apply for naturalisation in 1944, before the new Act was passed.

Image: Certificate of Naturalisation (Te Ara)