There is confusion in the New Zealand Government about whether New Zealand dual nationals are exempt from United States President Donald Trump's travel ban to the United States.
Prime Minister Bill English said yesterday the policy was unclear and the Government had asked for clarification from the US Government.
It was his expectation that New Zealanders who were also citizens of the targeted Muslim countries would not be affected by the hugely controversial ban, but he could not give any reassurances at this stage.
Mr Trump has ordered a three-month ban on entry into the United States by citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen - as well as a permanent ban on Syrian refugees and a temporary ban on other refugees.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the US embassy in Wellington have confirmed that the ban applies to dual nationals.
However, British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson has said British citizens, including dual citizens, were exempt from the ban. British officials have also said Canada, Australia and New Zealand have exemptions.
The United States, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand make up the Five Eyes spying network.
Mr English was asked yesterday morning whether there was a "carve-out'' for Five Eyes countries.
"We're checking up on that,'' he told Radio New Zealand.
"I see there's stories that the Canadians do, that the Australians are seeking it.
"The impression I get is that the policy is unclear. But we will be checking up on that.''
It was his expectation that someone travelling on a New Zealand passport would be exempt. But he had received no assurance from US officials that this was the case.
