All and singular the persons who are particularly described in the Schedule marked A to this Act annexed shall, to all intents and purposes whatever within the Colony of New Zealand, be deemed and taken to be and to have been, from the date set opposite their names respectively, natural born subjects of Her Majesty as if they had been respectively born within the realm of England.

And whereas the persons particularly described in the Schedule marked B to this Act annexed have settled in this Colony, and it is expedient that there should also he removed from them (within this Colony) the disabilities to which aliens are by law subject: Be it therefore enacted that all and singular the persons particularly described in the Schedule marked B hereunto annexed shall, to all intents and purposes whatever within the Colony of New Zealand, be deemed and taken to be and to have been, from the dates set opposite to their names respectively, natural born subjects of Her Majesty as if they had been respectively born within the realm of England.

And whereas there are certain other persons resident in New Zealand whom it may be expedient to relieve from the disabilities to which aliens are by law subject, but whose names and description have not been accurately ascertained: Be it further enacted that all and singular the persons who shall be declared to come within the operation of this Act by any Proclamation to be issued in that behalf by His Excellency the Governor, shall be deemed and taken, until the next Session of the General Assembly, to be natural born subjects of Her Majesty, within the Islands of New Zealand, as fully to all intents and purposes as if their names had respectively been inserted in the Schedule hereunto annexed: Provided always that every such Proclamation shall contain the description occupation or calling of the person or persons therein named, and of his or their residence at the date of such Proclamation.

This Act shall be entitled and may be cited as “The Naturalization Act, 1854.”