If you want to be considered for selection for New Zealand representatives teams, you need to be eligible to play. Please read carefully the information below or click here to work through the Player Eligibility Flowchart.
You are not a New Zealand citizen:
- Get naturalised before you turn 16. This is very important. This process can take 8-10 months.
- Then, get a New Zealand passport. This should be issued prior to you turning 16.
- Then, you will need to state to FIBA (through BBNZ) that you wish to play for New Zealand. This may or may not be relevant to your situation. If required, BBNZ will work with you.
You were born in a country other than New Zealand:
- Ensure you have New Zealand citizenship before you turn 16 (see above).
You are a citizen of more than one country, including New Zealand:
- You will need to hold a New Zealand passport.
- You may also need to state to FIBA (through BBNZ) that you wish to play for New Zealand. This may or may not be relevant to your situation. If required, BBNZ will work with you.
You hold more than one passport, including a New Zealand passport:
- As long as citizenship was granted and the passport issued before you were 16, you should be eligible to play.
- You may also need to state to FIBA (through BBNZ) that you wish to play for New Zealand. This may or may not be relevant to your situation. If required, BBNZ will work with you.
One of your parents was born in a different country, but you have New Zealand citizenship:
- One of your parents was born in a different country, but you have New Zealand citizenship.
- You may also need to state to FIBA (through BBNZ) that you wish to play for New Zealand. This may or may not be relevant to your situation. If required, BBNZ will work with you.
While some exceptions do apply, the processes can be lengthy, expensive, and a positive outcome is not guaranteed.
If your questions have not been answered above, talk to your coach or your association. If you are still unclear, feel free email to email mel.downer@nz.basketball.
