The 1948 Act redefined the term "British subject" as any citizen of New Zealand or another Commonwealth country. Commonwealth citizen is defined in this Act to have the same meaning. British subject/Commonwealth citizen status co-existed with the citizenships of each Commonwealth country. All Commonwealth and Irish citizens were eligible to become New Zealand citizens by registration, rather than naturalisation, after residing in New Zealand for at least 12 months. Commonwealth and Irish women who were married to New Zealand citizens were eligible to acquire citizenship by registration with no additional requirements. Wives of New Zealand citizens who held foreign nationality, as well as their minor children, were allowed to register as citizens at the discretion of the Minister of Internal Affairs. All other foreign nationals could acquire citizenship by naturalisation after five years of residence and formally notifying the government of their intention to naturalise at least one year prior to their application.