It is no surprise that obtaining dual citizenship for Motorcycle has been a priority. In both countries we have had opposing advice and information given to us. Some have said that I should give him that choice before inflicting it upon him. Others have voiced that giving him this piece of NZ will help him understand the two cultures more fully. Still, others have said dual citizenship is not recognized in my beloved home country. I have been contacting embassies and doing my own research on this topic.
After all of this, I have come to the conclusion that
a) Motorcycle will benefit from having dual nationality.
b) Motorcycle can legally hold American and New Zealand citizenship.
c) Motorcycle will be just a little cooler than he already is because he will have two passports.
This is what the New Zealand Embassy says:
If you were born outside New Zealand on or after 1 January 1978, and one of your parents was a New Zealand citizen otherwise than by descent at the time of your birth, then you may have a claim to New Zealand citizenship by descent.
This is what the American Consulate says:
The Supreme Court of United States has stated that dual nationality is a "status long recognized in the law" and that "a person may have and exercise rights of nationality in two countries and be subject to the responsibilities of both. The mere fact that he asserts the rights of one citizenship does not without more mean that he renounces the other", Kawakita v. U.S., 717(1952).
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The reality of the situation is that he is not just American or vice versa. How sad would that be if he grows up with the assumption that his dad is from some island that is 13 hours away? If that is all he knows about New Zealand, we have failed.
He has an entire whanau already anticipating his arrival. Mark my words. He will know this whanau and culture.
And, let's be honest. Having two passports will make travel to and from the countries much easier. No visas, foreigner lines, or documentation.
Cheers
After all of this, I have come to the conclusion that
a) Motorcycle will benefit from having dual nationality.
b) Motorcycle can legally hold American and New Zealand citizenship.
c) Motorcycle will be just a little cooler than he already is because he will have two passports.
This is what the New Zealand Embassy says:
If you were born outside New Zealand on or after 1 January 1978, and one of your parents was a New Zealand citizen otherwise than by descent at the time of your birth, then you may have a claim to New Zealand citizenship by descent.
This is what the American Consulate says:
The Supreme Court of United States has stated that dual nationality is a "status long recognized in the law" and that "a person may have and exercise rights of nationality in two countries and be subject to the responsibilities of both. The mere fact that he asserts the rights of one citizenship does not without more mean that he renounces the other", Kawakita v. U.S., 717(1952).
The reality of the situation is that he is not just American or vice versa. How sad would that be if he grows up with the assumption that his dad is from some island that is 13 hours away? If that is all he knows about New Zealand, we have failed. He has an entire whanau already anticipating his arrival. Mark my words. He will know this whanau and culture.
And, let's be honest. Having two passports will make travel to and from the countries much easier. No visas, foreigner lines, or documentation.
Cheers