British migrants take top spot in new citizen numbers

British migrants have taken the top spot in new citizen numbers for the first time in five years.India had been the top source country for residents becoming New Zealanders since 2022, when they accounted for one in five new citizens.It is now in third place behind South Africa.Overall citizen numbers climbed to 51,632 last year, a 12,000 jump on the previous 12 months and a record for recent figures.UK residence-visa holders accounted for 12 percent of those numbers, with 5955 new citizens, followed closely by South Africa on 5939 and India with 5896.Citizen growth is forecast to carry on climbing, as more than 200,000 people became residents in the Covid-era fast-track process, and they become eligible for citizenship after five years.More than 54,000 became resident in late 2021 and early 2022.Citizenship applicant numbers may also have been affected by people wanting to avoid needing to take a new test to become New Zealanders by grant, due to start late next year.Those under 16 and over 65 are exempt.Timeframes for citizenship decisions have improved in the last two years, after complaints from people who had waited between one and two years.Internal Affairs figures show 91 percent of decisions are now taken within four months.