Residency Status or Type - general definition
A general definition for residency status or type.
On this page:
New Zealand Citizen
New Zealand citizens are those who meet one of these three criteria:
- were born in New Zealand, or
- have been granted citizenship in an official ceremony, or
- are of New Zealand descent with confirmation from the Department of Internal Affairs.
Cook Island, Niue and Tokelau students
People born in the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau are automatically New Zealand citizens by birth. Generally, they will travel to New Zealand on a New Zealand passport. Islands that fall into these groups are:
Cook Islands
Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Manihiki, Manuae, Mauke, Mitiaro, Nassau, Palmerston Island, Penrhyn Island, Pukapuka, Rakahanga, Rarotonga, Suwarrow, Takutea
Niue
Tokelau Islands
Atafu, Fakaofo, Nukunonu
Other residents of the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau (i.e. not citizens of these places) will need to provide a proof of residence document and meet the two years residence in New Zealand requirement.
Permanent resident
A permanent resident is someone who has legally lived in New Zealand for at least two years, who has held a 'Residence Permit' and has been entitlted to reside in New Zealand for at least two years and who is ordinarily resident in New Zealand
For a Student Loan, a permanent resident is someone who holds 'permanent residency status' in New Zealand. There is no two year requirement.
Ordinarily Resident
Ordinarily resident means someone who is normally and lawfully in New Zealand and intends to stay here, that is, they consider New Zealand to be their home.
Refugee
There are two categories of refugee status:
- Refugees who are in New Zealand under the Refugee Quota system (or mandate refugees) are automatically eligible for assistance from the time their refugee status is approved. These refugees are automatically entitled to reside indefinitely in New Zealand from the date of that approval. Therefore they can become eligible for assistance from that date.
- Convention Refugees are people who have applied for refugee status under other criteria. They can apply before arriving in New Zealand, upon arrival, or after arrival. Once they are approved refugee status they have to apply for a resident permit to become entitlement to reside indefinitely in New Zealand. They can then become eligible for assistance from the approval date of the resident permit.
Australian Citizens
Australian citizens are exempt from having to hold a permit in order to reside in New Zealand.
For the Student Allowance an Australian citizen must still be ordinarily resident in New Zealand, and have resided in New Zealand for at least 2 years, and meet all other eligibility criteria
For a Student Loan Australian citizens have no other residency requirements but must meet all other eligibility criteria for this assistance.
If you are an Australian citizen please choose "Permanent resident" status.
United Kingdom citizens
United Kingdom citizens who arrived in New Zealand before 4 April 1974 are automatically entitled to permanent resident status. They are therefore not required to provide evidence of their permanent resident status in New Zealand, and are not required to have resided in New Zealand for a two year period. All other UK citizens must meet New Zealand citizenship or residency criteria.
