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FOLLOWING massive changes to its migration policy, the New Zealand Government is now thought to be considering tightening the country's citizenship laws, making it more difficult and more expensive for migrants to become New Zealanders.
Residency requirements will be lengthened and application fees increased.
The plans have not yet been made public but a source said that the changes will be introduced within the next 12 months, possibly as early as October.
The changes were being kept secret in order to avoid a last-minute flood of applications from would-be citizens.
They follow changed immigration policies announced earlier this month that will result in thousands of potential immigrants being turned away because they do not have the required work skills or job offers.
Immigrants will have to hold residency permits for at least five years before they can apply for citizenship. The present requirement is for three years' residency.
The new requirement will also apply to people who have married New Zealanders. Under present laws, they can become citizens after being resident for two years. In future, they will have to meet the five-year condition.
Citizenship application fees are likely to increase 27 percent from $360 to $460 for adults, and from $160 to $260 for children.
It is understood the changes are partly in response to Australian concerns that too many immigrants are seeking New Zealand citizenship in order to gain back-door access to Australia.
The new residency requirements will bring New Zealand more into line with United States citizenship requirements.
Would-be citizens of the US must have lived there for five years, or three years if married to an American.