Changing Your Name
In New Zealand, the birth of a child and the name for this child must be reported to Births, Deaths and Marriages, a government department where information on births, deaths, marriages, civil unions and name changes is kept. Other countries will have their own laws about how the birth of a child is reported, and how a child is named.
Even if you were not born in New Zealand, if you are a New Zealand citizen or are allowed to stay here indefinitely under New Zealand law, your name can be changed officially and unofficially. On this page, you will find information on how your name can be changed at different times in your life.