PM reveals fourth citizenship blocked

Prime Minister Helen Clark revealed yesterday a fourth case of an application for citizenship being blocked on security grounds.

Security Intelligence Service director of security Richard Woods said last week that applications from 26,000 people seeking citizenship in 2002-2003 were vetted and three declined.

Helen Clark told Parliament a report to Immigration Minister Paul Swain listed another case, pre-dating those three by a year.

Mr Woods said New Zealand faced three main terrorism risks: New Zealand or New Zealanders could be a target, other countries' interests in New Zealand could be targeted, or New Zealand could be used as a safe haven from which terrorist acts could be planned.

Helen Clark said there were no plans to review any previous applications for residency or citizenship.

- NZPA