Applying for New Zealand citizenship is about to become easier, quicker and cheaper in the Central Lakes districts when free citizenship assessments become a regular fixture in Queenstown from next month.
The Department of Internal Affairs will offer free assessments of citizenship applications at a ''one-stop shop'' at 57 Shotover St every six weeks from September 16, the same service as it provides in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.
Case officers will go through the requirements of the application with candidates, many of whom do not speak English, sign the declaration, take payment details, answer questions correctly and ensure the right documents are enclosed.
One-to-one assessments have been available in Dunedin for two days every month and 60% of applicants were from Dunedin and Otago. However, up to 15% travel from Invercargill and fewer from the Queenstown Lakes district, because of the distance and small window of availability.
The department is taking the initiative of providing the service closer to where candidates live in Queenstown and Invercargill, so they do not have to take time off work to travel, or feel they are risking the loss of vital original documents through the post to Wellington.
''We encourage people to come into our offices, have a case officer who directly checks everything and take the opportunity to discuss applications, then photocopy and return original documents on the day, so people don't have to be worried about things getting lost in the post,'' spokesman Michael Mead said.
''The other key thing is, if they're not eligible, then we won't take their fee and we'll advise them what their options are.''
Mr Mead said historically, if candidates applied by mail, the department took their money first and then told them later if they did not meet the criteria.
''With the appointment process, the idea is we don't have people applying if they're not eligible ... [we're] giving people that advice at the time, the person can then make the decision themselves whether to go through with it,'' he said.
''If people make mistakes on the form, we can get them to correct it. One of the big problems we've had years gone by is the application error rate is very high - almost 60% of the time people get them wrong.
''People either don't send what we want, they don't answer all the questions and some JPs don't follow our instructions properly and, unfortunately, the declaration part which they are responsible for has to be absolutely right, or it goes back to them.''
The benefits of being a New Zealand citizen include the right to a New Zealand passport, New Zealand diplomatic support around the world and access to Australia, which residents do not have.
Only citizens can stand for local body government or represent the country in sport internationally. Some educational places or funding can be restricted to citizens only.
''Citizenship also gives a sense of belonging by being part of the nation and making that final commitment,'' Mr Mead said.
''Some people feel once they get citizenship, that whole process that started with residency and the move is finally over and they've completed a journey to making New Zealand their home.''
