Australia unveils direct pathway to citizenship for New Zealanders

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins visited Australia on Saturday, and Australia reversed controversial visa regulations for New Zealanders living there.

Hipkins, who will visit Brisbane on Sunday, called it “the biggest improvement in the rights of New Zealanders living in Australia in a generation”.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said New Zealanders residing in Australia for four years or more might apply for citizenship without becoming permanent residents.

We know that many New Zealanders are raising families, working, and establishing lives in Australia on Special Category Visas. “I am proud to offer citizenship benefits,” Albanese said.

Since 2001 visa regulations made it harder for Kiwis in Australia to become citizens, New Zealand has advocated for revisions.

Australia’s Labor government stated the legislation will align New Zealanders’ rights with Australian expats in New Zealand.

Kiwis who become Australian citizens will continue be Kiwis. “These dual citizens are not lost to New Zealand—but draw us closer together,” Hipkins added.

He added that children born in Australia since July to an Australia-based New Zealand parent will immediately be Australian citizens.

“This will make critical services available to them,” he said, adding that Albanese fulfilled his vow to leave no New Zealander “permanently temporary” in Australia.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade reports 670,000 New Zealanders and 70,000 Australians in New Zealand.

The “special arrangement with New Zealand” prevented Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil from applying the reforms to other migrant groups.

She told ABC that the reform will reflect the “strong friendship we have” in legislation.