Citizenship fees: Deficit forecast to reach $68.3m by 2033 without recent fee hike, documents show

Azaria HowellPolitical Reporter·Newstalk ZB·18 Oct, 2026 04:00 PM4 mins to read‌More than 102,000 citizenship applications are forecast for 2027/28.More than 102,000 citizenship applications are forecast for 2027/28.The Government’s citizenship account is facing its highest deficit on record with officials warning it would continue to rise without an increase to citizenship fees.Fees increased by 14.4% in August this year, following a 19% rise in November 2025. Officials have said without this increase, the Government’s citizenship account