KEY POINTS:
The mother of the toddler who missed out on citizenship at birth will take up an invitation from Internal Affairs Minister Richard Worth to apply for her to become a New Zealander.
Two-year-old Rafaela Lat was granted a visitor's visa, and not citizenship, when she was born at Auckland City Hospital because of a delay by Immigration New Zealand in stamping her parents' passports with their already approved residencies.
After reading a Herald item Dr Worth asked for a report from the Department of Internal Affairs but the department said it had not received a citizenship application from the Lats on their daughter's behalf.
Dr Worth said there was no provision under the Citizenship Act 1977 for Rafaela to become a citizen by birth, but an application could be lodged to be considered for New Zealand citizenship.
"They could apply for citizenship for their child now - and I would consider this application under the relevant sections of the Citizenship Act."
Mother Ruby Lat, originally from the Philippines, said they were thrilled to receive the invitation, and would be lodging the application "as soon as we can".
"Money is tight for us, which is why we didn't want to submit an application if the chances of Rafaela becoming a citizen are zero," said Mrs Lat, a nurse from Glenfield. "The minister's response ... has really given us hope."
Children born in New Zealand after January 1, 1949, used to become citizens automatically, but the law changed in 2006, and now at least one parent has to be either a citizen or resident for a child born here to acquire New Zealand citizenship.
