NZ Citizenship At Last!
Royal New Zealand Air Force Aircraftsman Andre Aukes has finally achieved New Zealand citizenship, and he couldn’t be happier. With the ceremony over and the citizenship papers in his hand, AC Aukes enthusiastically said, “I can now officially be called a ‘Dutch Kiwi’ or ‘Kiwi Dutchie’, whichever one works!”
AC Aukes immigrated to New Zealand from The Netherlands in 1993 at the age of 10 with a European passport on a Permanent Resident Visa. Prior to joining the RNZAF, he applied for the Citizen Grant in late 2006. However, because of his extensive overseas travel (Egypt, The Netherlands, Greece, England, and Australia), New Zealand was not regarded as his bona fide home, and his application was denied. In May 2007, AC Aukes joined the RNZAF and everything changed. The RNZAF allows personnel five years and eight months time to apply for New Zealand Citizenship, so in February 2009 he reapplied. This time, AC Aukes included in his application a letter written and signed by No 40 Squadron Administration stating that he was in fact part of the NZDF and that New Zealand Citizenship was necessary for his continued service in the RNZAF. The Citizen Grant was approved and AC Aukes received his New Zealand citizenship a few months later.
AC Aukes advice to other immigrants who are looking for a great career in New Zealand is to join the RNZAF!