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 dates 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 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 descriptions 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 or Officer Administering the Government shall, as from the time to be in the respective cases in that behalf specified by such Proclamation, be deemed and taken, until the termination of the next Session of the General Assembly, to be and to have been, as from such specified time, 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 intituled and may be cited as “The Naturalization Act, 1856.”