29 October 2021 | Read a plain text version of this newsletter

Message from the General Manager

Tēnā koe – hello.

Mid-November we are filming a short message from Dame Cindy Kiro, the new Governor-General. We expect that the updated Choice video for councils to play at citizenship ceremonies may be available in December.

This leads on to the important news in this newsletter about the holding ceremonies under the current Alert Level system.

Please continue to follow the advice from the government and Ministry of Health:

Information about COVID-19 from the Ministry of Health
Government advice about COVID-19 on Govt.nz

Julia Wootton,
General Manager;
Services and Access

Keep safe.

Kia pai tō rā (Have a good day)
Julia

Ceremonies cancelled at Alert Level 2 or above

In our 3 September newsletter we advised that ceremonies could go ahead, or would be cancelled, depending on the regional Alert Level.

The Delta outbreak has resulted in additional restrictions being added to the Alert Level system and caused ongoing uncertainty to the planning of future ceremonies. As a result, the approach to holding citizenship ceremonies has been changed.

It is not in the public interest for ceremonies to go ahead unless all of New Zealand is at Alert Level 1. Therefore, no citizenship ceremonies will be held while any region is at Alert Level 2 or above.

Certificates will be sent directly to new citizens

Citizenship certificates will be sent by courier to applicants until all of New Zealand is at Alert Level 1.

Payments

If we have invited candidates to a ceremony which is cancelled we will pay the normal fees.

Celebratory Ceremonies

Some councils have been hosting celebratory events for candidates whose certificates have been couriered to them.

Councils need to invite the candidates themselves. DIA is not involved other than supplying their contact details. This could be as part of the next ceremony or a special ceremony just for them.

DIA pays the normal fee for these events for candidates who attended unless we have already made a payment based on them being invited to a cancelled ceremony. Councils need to email citizenshipceremonies@dia.govt.nz a list of names for those who attended to get the payment.

Traffic light framework

Information will be provided in a future newsletter on holding ceremonies under the new COVID-19 Protection Framework.

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