Documents seen by the Herald show Kwon first applied in 2024. Despite letters of recommendation from Cycling New Zealand chief executive Simon Peterson, Olympic cyclist Aaron Gate, Auckland Grammar School principal Tim O’Connor and his local MP David Seymour, his application was rejected.
He was told he didn’t meet the criteria because his selection was “conditional”.
Kwon reapplied again last month in a bid to secure a New Zealand Cycling licence for the 2026 season, but as each day passes, he is facing the prospect of having to return to South Korea to pursue his cycling ambitions.
“It’s not going that great at the moment,” Kwon told the Herald. “This is the second time we’ve reapplied for citizenship and it’s not quite working out as we expected.
“It would feel like representing my own country because New Zealand is where I started cycling. It’s a bit sad and disappointing not being able to race for New Zealand, if it doesn’t work out.
“We’re leaning towards that [leaving] now. That’s not what I would have wanted, but my goal is to get to that level of racing.”
The decision to move to New Zealand came from his mum, Mira, who wanted to show her son that there was more to life than skating, which he had started from age 6.
David Kwon only took up cycling after moving to New Zealand from South Korea. Photo / Supplied
The plan was to initially stay for up to two years, but because of Covid they got stuck and Kwon fell in love with New Zealand.
Kwon currently holds a student visa and his mum has not applied for citizenship, but his latest application has become urgent.
A change in New Zealand’s Cycling rules for next year states non-citizens will no longer be eligible for race licences, meaning Kwon will not be able to compete and will miss key qualifying events for the 2026 junior world champs.
The Department of Internal Affairs said there are no urgent citizenship services and his current application “does not meet the criteria for out-of-queue processing”, adding that 90% of applicants will receive an outcome within four months of submitting their application.
“If an applicant doesn’t meet the standard requirements then the Minister [Brooke van Velden] has the power to approve discretionary citizenship by grant on a case-by-case basis,” a spokesperson said.
Kwon said he was devastated not being able to compete in August’s junior world champs, but he still trained alongside the team and saw them off at the airport as they departed for Apeldoorn.
“I try not to worry about it too much,” Kwon said. “But at that time, when I got told I couldn’t represent New Zealand after getting selected, it was devastating.
“I’ve had to miss lots of school for training for the junior worlds and it was a little weird trying to stay fit when I wasn’t sure if I was going.
“When I went to the airport, I got shook a little bit and my training did go off track but I’m back on track now and it’s going all good.”
A letter from Seymour in December last year urged the Department of Internal Affairs to “make an exemption and grant early citizenship”.
“I write on behalf of local resident David Kwon and his parents, who request that David’s citizenship application be escalated for processing so that he can represent New Zealand in international sporting competitions in 2025 and beyond,” Seymour wrote.
David Kwon representing Auckland Grammar School. Photo / Supplied
“David is eager to compete internationally under the New Zealand flag, and I ask that you make an exemption and grant early citizenship to him so that he can go on to represent New Zealand for many years to come.”
Losing Kwon could be a blow for New Zealand cycling as the teen has been described as a person with the “potential to perform at major elite competitions in the future”.
Kwon said he has appreciated the support from everyone helping him during these difficult times.
“It’s really motivating with all the help,” Kwon said.
“When I’m on my bike, I’m always happy. It’s what I love.”
In a statement to the Herald, O’Connor said the school continues to support Kwon’s application for citizenship.
“He has been a dedicated student at Auckland Grammar School and has made a meaningful contribution to school life,” O’Connor said. “He is genuine in his approach and would be a proud New Zealand citizen.
“We also respect the protocols in place for any application for New Zealand citizenship.”
Cycling New Zealand said it was supporting the process but didn’t wish to comment further when contacted by the Herald.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.