John Ruddock, a Māori father, secured citizenship for himself and his three children in 2026 but continues advocating for a dedicated pathway for overseas-born Māori after facing bureaucratic hurdles that left his family without legal status for over a year.
Born in Australia to Rhonda Bryers, a singer known as The Voice of New Zealand,
Ruddock grew up assuming citizenship would not be an issue for his own children. That assumption collapsed when he discovered New Zealand’s Citizenship Act 1977 limited citizenship by descent to one generation, leaving his children ineligible for automatic citizenship. Without it, they could not enroll in school, and Ruddock, raising them alone on $30 a week, faced daily fears of deportation.
A Personal Battle for Legal Recognition
Ruddock’s struggle drew national attention after he took his case to the Waitangi Tribunal in July 2025. The tribunal found that the Citizenship Act 1977 violated Treaty principles by failing to consult Māori on laws determining who could return to Aotearoa. It recommended amending the act to create a tikanga pathway
recognizing whakapapa (genealogy) over place of birth, extending citizenship by descent to two generations for Māori. Despite this, Ruddock secured citizenship for his family through a temporary student visa and later a grant, but the broader pathway remains unaddressed.
I just feel there’s got to be something that we can create, a tangata whenua pathway or whakapapa pathway, something,
Ruddock said, reflecting on his fight. I don’t have any family that’s not buried in these soils.
His case gained momentum after actress Keisha Castle-Hughes, also a Māori parent born overseas, joined his advocacy. It was quite surprising that, you know, like the ‘whale rider’ is having this problem,
Castle-Hughes remarked, highlighting the irony of a globally beloved figure facing such barriers.
Ministerial Stance and Systemic Delays
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden acknowledged the Waitangi Tribunal’s findings but reiterated her position: However, my position remains the same and I have no plans to review and open up the act.
Instead, she focused on improving the citizenship by grant process, including a test for applicants starting in 2027. In October 2023, the average wait time for citizenship by grant decisions was 180 days; by 2026, it had dropped to 53 days, according to Ruddock’s sources.
Ruddock’s case also exposed systemic delays. It’s just going to keep happening, and the most stories I’ve heard is they’ve given up and left,
he said, noting that many Māori in similar situations abandon their efforts. So I decided that I’m not going to do that.
I just put my kids first.
Community Support and Unresolved Challenges
Ruddock’s fight was bolstered by Jessica Te Huia of the Porirua Whanau Centre, who helped secure housing and connected him to the Mana Tāne group, a Māori men’s support network. We got our own place.
Literally, in one day, we got a place,
Ruddock recalled, emphasizing how stability allowed his family to settle.
Despite these victories, Ruddock remains concerned about the future. 0.01% of the world’s population are Māori,
he noted, arguing that while a “stampede” is unlikely, a pathway is essential. We’re tangata whenua, and we have a unique thing having Te Tiriti.
The government’s refusal to act on the Waitangi Tribunal’s recommendations has left him frustrated. I don’t really think it’s considered a pathway,
he said of his own experience. I think I creaked open the door, which I think is the awesome part.
What Comes Next for Māori Citizenship?
As of July 2026, no legislation has been introduced to create a dedicated Māori citizenship pathway. The Waitangi Tribunal’s report remains with the Crown for response, but Ruddock’s case highlights a growing concern: as more Māori are born overseas, the current system risks leaving them stateless. I’m sure a lot of people would love to bring their kids back home once they’ve established their life,
he said. There should be at least a pathway set up for the future.
Keep reading
