- Are there any special rules for Australian citizens and residents?
If you’re an Australian citizen, you don’t need to apply for any type of visa, but you will be allowed to live, work or study in New Zealand indefinitely. You will need to show a valid Australian passport on your arrival in New Zealand and be of good character.
If you are an Australian permanent resident entering New Zealand with a current Australian Resident Return Visa in your valid passport, you will normally be granted a residence class visa (at the airport) to enter and stay in New Zealand, provided you have completed your arrival card correctly and truthfully. However, you can still be refused residence if you are not of good character (you will be required to make a character declaration by completing the Character section of your arrival card).