Section 13 — Immigration Act 2009: New Zealand citizens may enter and be in New Zealand at any time

13 New Zealand citizens may enter and be in New Zealand at any time (1) For the purposes of this Act, every New Zealand citizen has, by virtue of his or her citizenship, the right to enter and be in New Zealand at any time. (2) However, to establish his or her right to enter New Zealand, a New Zealand citizen must prove his or her citizenship and establish his or her identity by complying with border requirements. (3) Nothing in this Act (other than subsection (2)) abrogates the right declared in subsection (1), and— (a) no provision of this Act that is inconsistent with that right applies to a New Zealand citizen; and (b) no New Zealand citizen is liable under this Act to deportation from New Zealand in any circumstances. (4) Without limiting subsection (3), no New Zealand citizen— (a) requires a visa or entry permission; or (b) may hold a visa, or be granted entry permission, except a New Zealand citizen who— (i) is a national of 1 or more other countries; and (ii) wishes to enter New Zealand other than as a New Zealand citizen; and (iii) has not been granted New Zealand citizenship, been registered as a New Zealand citizen by descent under section 7(2) of the Citizenship Act 1977, or been issued with an evidentiary certificate under section 21 of the Citizenship Act 1977 confirming that he or she is a New Zealand citizen. Compare: 1987 No 74 s 3