What happens if I don't want to pledge my allegiance to the queen?
AP made this Official Information request to Jacinda Ardern
The request was successful.
From: AP
Dear Jacinda Ardern,
I would like to ask a question that many citizens of New Zealand may have.
What happens if I dont want to plese my allegiance to the queen?
I have been a citizen for 6 years now. I respect New Zealand. This is not about being a New Zealander, this is about the requirement to pledge my allegiance to the queen. I am proud to be a New Zealander.
Regards
Yours faithfully,
Ankit
From: Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern
Kia ora
Thank you for taking the time to get in touch with Prime Minister Jacinda
Ardern.
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References
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From: Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern
Dear Ankit,
I am writing on behalf of the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, to acknowledge your email of 27 October 2021. Please be assured your comments have been noted.
As the issue you have raised falls within the portfolio responsibilities of the Minister of Internal Affairs , Hon Jan Tinetti , your email has been forwarded to the Minister's office for consideration.
Thank you for writing, and take care.
Best wishes
Warren Howe
Office of the Prime Minister
show quoted sections
From: citizenship
Kia ora Ankit
Thank you for your enquiry.
We suspect your question is related to the Oath of Allegiance during a New
Zealand Citizenship ceremony and therefore have answered as such below.
The New Zealand Citizenship Oath of Allegiance is prescribed by the New
Zealand legislation [1]Citizenship Act 1977. The current version of the
Oath of allegiance has come into force by section 2 of the Citizenship
Amendment Act 1979.
The public ceremony is an opportunity for new citizens to publicly declare
their allegiance to their new country and for the local community to
welcome them on behalf of all New Zealanders. It is part of the ceremony’s
process for new citizens to stand before an official person and take the
Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance.
The Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance to the Queen reflects New Zealand’s
constitutional monarchy. The British sovereign is New Zealand's head of
state. Allegiance to the Queen means allegiance to New Zealand.
The Act does allow the Minister to waive the requirement for an applicant
for the grant of citizenship to take the Oath of Allegiance. When
applying for citizenship, you may wish to include a request for a waiver
of the requirement with your application. The request would be forwarded
on to the Minister to consider when she makes a decision on your
application.
Kind Regards
Jessica | Advisor
Service Advice & Support
Department of Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwhenua
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From: AP
Hello,
Thank you for responding to my query. I am already a citizen so the suggested request for a waiver does not apply to me.
So what happens if I don't want to pledge my allegiance to the queen anymore? I would like to restate that this is no where related to my allegiance to New Zealand. For me and a lot of others these are two different allegiances.
Yours sincerely,
AP
Jacinda Ardern
Kia ora,
Thank you for your enquiry; this is an auto generated response confirming
your email has been received.
Due to higher than expected volumes there will be a delay with responding
to your query. We will reply to your email as soon as possible.
We have the following tools and resources available:
· Use this tool to check your [1]eligibility for NZ citizenship
· Follow these steps when you [2]apply for NZ citizenship
· If you were born overseas to a NZ citizen parent you may need to
[3]register your citizenship to get a NZ passport
Ngā mihi,
New Zealand Citizenship Mauri o Te Tangata
Department of Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwhenua
References
Visible links
1. https://www.govt.nz/browse/nz-passports-...
2. https://www.govt.nz/browse/nz-passports-...
3. https://www.govt.nz/browse/nz-passports-...
From: citizenship
Kia ora AP
Thank you for your query regarding how you can remove your pledge of
allegiance to the Queen.
There is no provision in legislation for a person to remove their pledge
of allegiance to the Queen if they have already made this pledge. As
advised in our last response, a person who is not yet a citizen can
request the Minister of Internal Affairs to waive the requirement that
they take an oath or affirmation of allegiance, however this is not able
to be applied retrospectively.
An option is to renounce your New Zealand citizenship, apply again for a
grant of citizenship and request the Minister waive that requirement in
order for you to become a citizen. Only the Minister can make that
decision so I cannot confirm that this would be approved.
Information regarding renouncing citizenship can be found on our website:
[1]Giving up your NZ citizenship | New Zealand Government (www.govt.nz)
Ngâ mihi
Jane Grabham (she/her)* | Kaitohutohu Matua | Senior Advisor
Mauri o te Tangata | Services and Access
Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs
[2]Logo-test
*If you’re wondering about the use of pronouns she/her on this signature
you can find more information about how sharing pronouns can help to
create a sense of belonging and respect [3]here.
show quoted sections
From: AP
Dear citizenship,
Thank you for responding. Someone should not have to go this length to understand that they can ask for a waiver in their citizenship application.
I recommend this option is available in the citizenship application so people know that they can actually request for a waiver.
How do I proceed about making a request to make this change in the citizenship application.
Yours sincerely,
AP
From: citizenship
Kia ora AP
Thank you for your email.
I have forwarded your request through to the appropriate team who will
respond to your enquiry.
Nāku noa nā
Cassie
Life Identity Services Officer | Āpiha Ratonga Tuakiri Ora | Births,
Deaths and Marriages Office
NZ: 0800 22 52 52 | Outside NZ: +64 9 339 0852
Mon to Fri 8am - 7pm
Department of Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwhenua
show quoted sections
From: ServiceAdviceAndSupport
Kia ora AP
Thank you for your suggestion to include information in the citizenship
application about being able to request the waiver of the requirement that
a person pledge allegiance to the Queen in order to be granted
citizenship.
I have passed this request to the relevant teams within the Department of
Internal Affairs who deal with the content of application forms and
guidance material, and your feedback will be considered next time a review
of this material is undertaken.
Ngā mihi
Jane Grabham (she/her)* | Kaitohutohu Matua | Senior Advisor
Mauri o te Tangata | Services and Access
Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs
[1]Logo-test
*If you’re wondering about the use of pronouns she/her on this signature
you can find more information about how sharing pronouns can help to
create a sense of belonging and respect [2]here.
show quoted sections
From: AP
Dear ServiceAdviceAndSupport,
I would like to receive an update on the progress of this request. Based on your response, it seems that it may be considered. I would like to this request to be given more consideration. How can I change petition for a change so this is taken seriously?
My grandparents and great grandparents have suffered under the colonial rule. This is not unique to just me. There must hundreds of thousands of migrants in this country who share this sentiment.
Yours sincerely,
AP
From: ServiceAdviceAndSupport
Kia ora AP
Thank you for your email. As previously advised, your feedback has been
passed on to relevant teams in the Department of Internal Affairs who will
take this into account next time a review of the application material is
undertaken. There is no set timeframe on this.
You are welcome to email your concerns to [1]Hon Jan Tinetti, Minister of
Internal Affairs.
For information on petitions please refer to the [2]New Zealand Parliament
website.
Ngā mihi
Jane Grabham (she/her)* | Kaitohutohu Matua | Senior Advisor
Mauri o te Tangata | Services and Access
Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs
show quoted sections
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Mark Hanna left an annotation ()
If you want to petition Parliament to change the law, the Parliament website has a facility for creating petitions: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/
As you're likely aware, the specific wording of this oath as it is used in citizenship ceremonies is specified in Schedule 1 of the Citizenship Act 1977: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/publ...
Section 11(2) of that Act makes the oath (or its affirmation version) a requirement of public citizenship ceremonies unless the Minister specifically agrees to make an exception.
Link to this