22 September 2023
45 Pipitea Street, Wellington 6011
Phone +64 4 495 7200
dia.govt.nz
Sweta Jayantilal Pandya
fyi-request-23962-
[email address]
Tēnā koe Sweta
OIA request 23/24 0139 Request for Citizenship Timeframes
Thank you for your Official Information Act (Act) request received by the Department of Internal
Affairs (Department) on 26 August 2023.
You requested –
1. Can you please let me know the percentage of auto assessed applications vs manually
processed applications for citizenships during the month of August.
2. Also, what was the average time for the processing of auto assessed application in
August (2023)
In response to your request, I can provide you with the following information.
Caveats to Data
• The data was collated on, and is accurate of 5 September 2023
• The numbers come from a dynamic system environment and may differ slightly from
previous or future reporting.
Question one response
The data provided for you in the table below has been given in percentages and grouped in
‘mostly’ automated and ‘mostly’ non automated workstreams. It may be helpful for me to
explain that all applications require some manual assessment by a Life and Identity Service
Officer (LISO) therefore, technically none of the workstreams are fully automated or non-
automated.
Applications are grouped into workstreams according to the checks the system can make
compared with those that require a person to assess. Workstreams 3 and 6 are classified as
automated queues. However, workstream 5 for example, can be assessed using most of the
same automated checks as workstream 3 and 6, even though it is classified as non-automated.
Percentage of citizenship by grant applications getting an outcome
during August 2023 by Workstream
Workstream
August 2023 Applications
Mostly automated
40%
Mostly non-automated
60%
There are six different workstreams for managing citizenship by grant applications. All
applications start off by being placed into Workstream 2. They are then filtered into other
workstreams using system logic or automated assessment of applications. An overview of the
workstreams is below:
•
Workstream one – Applications from workstream 2 that were not automatically able to
go into workstreams 3, 4, 5 or 6, and that have been pre-assessed by an administrator
for completeness. Applications filtered to workstreams 3, 5 and 6 may also be
transferred to workstream 1, if after the initial manual assessment, it is deemed that
further manual assessment is required.
•
Workstream two – All applications begin in this queue and are filtered to other queues
using system logic. Applications that are not automatically able to go to workstream 3, 4,
5 and 6 remain in this queue until they are picked up by an administrator and pre-
assessed for completeness, before then being moved to workstream 1.
•
Workstream three – Online applications that meet all automated checks.
•
Workstream four – Applications assessed under the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act
1982.
•
Workstream five – Online applications that meet all automated checks except presence
and/or English. Manual assessment is required.
•
Workstream six – Applications submitted on paper that meet all automated checks.
All new applications enter the queue in workstream 2. The system logic outlined above is run on
a weekly basis, and applications are moved to workstream 3, 4, 5, or 6, or remain in workstream
2 until an administrator or LISO pre-assesses it. Once pre-assessed, the application will be
moved to workstream 1. It is also possible for applications to shift between workstreams if LISOs
identify issues that require additional manual intervention.
Question two response
Average working days taken from received to outcome for
applications receiving an outcome during August 2023
Workstream
Average working days
All workstreams
139
Mostly automated
21
Mostly non-automated
217
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As this information may be of interest to other members of the public, the Department has
decided to proactively release a copy of this response on its website. All requestor data,
including your name and contact details, will be removed prior to release. The released
response will be made available here:
https://www.dia.govt.nz/Official-Information-Act-
Requests-2.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi
Kate Raggett
Manager Operational Policy and Official Correspondence
Service Delivery and Operations
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