Tçnâ koe Eddie

Thank you for your OIA request to the Department of Internal Affairs.

The Department will provide its response to your request as soon as practicable and within twenty working days. The 20th working day is 11 March 2026.

Please note that in cases where the Department’s response provides information that is identified to be of general public interest, the response may also be published on the Department of Internal Affairs website. If the Department publishes its response to your OIA request, all personal information, including your name and contact details, will be removed.

Ngâ mihi

Vi Saena| Official Correspondence Advisor
Regulatory and Identity Services
The Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua
7 Waterloo Quay, Wellington
http://www.dia.govt.nz/

-----Original Message-----
From: Eddie J <[FOI #33688 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 11 February 2026 2:02 pm
To: OIA <[DIA request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Timaru Citizenship Cerermony Backlog

[You don't often get email from [FOI #33688 email]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]

Dear Department of Internal Affairs,

I am writing to seek clarification regarding citizenship ceremonies in Timaru and the current wait times for approved applicants.

1. What is the typical number of people invited to attend each citizenship ceremony held in Timaru?
2. On days when more than one citizenship ceremony is organised, approximately how many attendees are accommodated in total?

Available information indicates that applicants based in Auckland and other major urban centres are often able to attend their citizenship ceremonies within a few months of approval. In contrast, applicants based in Timaru appear to be experiencing wait times exceeding seven months. This suggests an inequitable difference in wait times between regions.

3. Could you please advise whether the Department of Internal Affairs is taking any active steps to reduce the backlog and extended wait times for Timaru-based applicants? For example, are there plans to: hold ceremonies more frequently, or use larger venues to accommodate more attendees?

I would appreciate any information or updates you can provide on this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Eddie J

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Tēnā koe Eddie,

 

Please see attached for the response to your Official Information Act 1982
request.

 

Ngā mihi,

 

Vi Saena| Official Correspondence Advisor
Regulatory and Identity Services | Taituarā

The Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua

7 Waterloo Quay, Wellington

[1]www.dia.govt.nz

 

 

References

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1. http://www.dia.govt.nz/