No citizenship bid for Rocky Horror man

The Rocky Horror Picture Show creator Richard O'Brien has not been denied New Zealand citizenship since he has not yet applied for it.

It was incorrectly reported last week that Mr O'Brien had been refused New Zealand citizenship.

 However a spokesman for Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman said Mr O'Brien had lodged no application to become a New Zealand citizen.

"He has not been denied ... and the Minister has not said no," said the spokesman.

"Mr O'Brien and his immigration adviser went through the criteria for the permits and from here it seems he is not eligible but I must stress, no application has been received by the Immigration office."

The spokesman could not comment on whether it was possible O'Brien's application would be accepted on special merits.

He also could not comment on whether it was possible Mr O'Brien might be denied New Zealand residency.

The spokesman said all immigration cases were looked at on a case-by-case basis and Mr O'Brien's application would be assessed on his eligibility to meet the immigration requirements - not by who is was or what he might have done for the country.

The spokesman said the next step was for Mr O'Brien and his immigration adviser to decide whether to proceed with an application.

Mr O'Brien was born in England in 1942 but moved to Tauranga when he was 9.

He attended Tauranga Primary and Tauranga College. At 15 he left school and moved back to England when he was 22.

Every year, Mr O'Brien returns to New Zealand to stay at his Katikati property over the Christmas.