The New Zealand passport, and the “bunker”

The Auditor-General’s office says that in June 2011 the minister, Nathan Guy, approved citizenship under section 9(1)(c) of the Citizenship Act, which lets a minister grant it where it “would be in the public interest because of exceptional circumstances.” Under that section “the Minister does not need to consider most of the normal requirements,” such as presence in New Zealand. It decided not to hold an inquiry. [1]

Papers released by the Department of Internal Affairs show he had spent 12 days in New Zealand as a permanent resident during the assessment period. [2][3]

CNBC reported that reports had suggested he planned “some sort of apocalypse-proof bunker,” and that while some buildings appeared built into hillsides, “it’s unclear if any of them are intended to serve as a bunker.” [1]

The consent papers described a lodge for up to 24 guests, an owner’s pod and a meditation space. Independent commissioners refused it in August 2022, saying it would “substantially detract” from an outstanding natural landscape. [2][3]

In October 2022 The New York Times reported, from unnamed sources, that he was seeking citizenship in Malta. [4]