Kia ora Department of Internal Affairs,

As we know before the COVID-19 situation the timeframe for the citizenship was 3 to 5 months. As I understand during COVID-19, the time frame changed to 5-10 months little longer which is acceptable due to lockdown situation.

Now the COVID-19 situation is properly handled by the government, election finished and the businesses are back to normal but your time frame has been again been extended from 7 to 12 months from when I applied, to 9 to 14 months.

I also note that the Citizenship office encourage people to apply online or by post. This is where I would like to raise my concerns because from what I am hearing from people who have recently applied in-person are getting priority and their application is being processed within 3 to 4 months.

This is very distressing and disheartening for me because I noted the message/request posted on your website and abided it, is being disadvantaged.

I truly understand how the pandemic and lockdowns would have affected your office and kaimahi/employees resulting in huge backlogs. I do like to acknowledge the mahi and all the hard work everyone's been putting at work, especially after a very tough period.

But as a member of the public who has been supportive of the request made by the Citizenship Office and submitted my application online, is still waiting in a long queue of applications.

I feel misguided by the information presented on the website. I am extremely saddened to experience this unfair situation.

I do not wish to make any complaints or put anyone's livelihood at risk.

I hope you understand what people who are separated from their families due to border closure are going through right now. And a situation like this is adversely affecting our mental wellbeing.

I wanted to voice this concern to the Department and hope it gets heard.

Please be kind.

Ngā mihi nūi,
Alisha