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\u2019Connor and his local MP David Seymour, his application was rejected.<\/p>\n
He was told he didn\u2019t meet the criteria because his selection was \u201cconditional\u201d.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not going that great at the moment,\u201d Kwon told the Herald. \u201cThis is the second time we\u2019ve reapplied for citizenship and it\u2019s not quite working out as we expected.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would feel like representing my own country because New Zealand is where I started cycling. It\u2019s a bit sad and disappointing not being able to race for New Zealand, if it doesn\u2019t work out.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re leaning towards that [leaving] now. That\u2019s not what I would have wanted, but my goal is to get to that level of racing.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
David Kwon only took up cycling after moving to New Zealand from South Korea. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Kwon currently holds a student visa and his mum has not applied for citizenship, but his latest application has become urgent. <\/p>\n
A change in New Zealand\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
The Department of Internal Affairs said there are no urgent citizenship services and his current application \u201cdoes not meet the criteria for out-of-queue processing\u201d, adding that 90% of applicants will receive an outcome within four months of submitting their application.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf an applicant doesn\u2019t 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,\u201d a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
Kwon said he was devastated not being able to compete in August\u2019s junior world champs, but he still trained alongside the team and saw them off at the airport as they departed for Apeldoorn.<\/p>\n
\u201cI try not to worry about it too much,\u201d Kwon said. \u201cBut at that time, when I got told I couldn\u2019t represent New Zealand after getting selected, it was devastating.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve 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\u2019t sure if I was going.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I went to the airport, I got shook a little bit and my training did go off track but I\u2019m back on track now and it\u2019s going all good.\u201d<\/p>\n
A letter from Seymour in December last year urged the Department of Internal Affairs to \u201cmake an exemption and grant early citizenship\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI write on behalf of local resident David Kwon and his parents, who request that David\u2019s citizenship application be escalated for processing so that he can represent New Zealand in international sporting competitions in 2025 and beyond,\u201d Seymour wrote.<\/p>\n
David Kwon representing Auckland Grammar School. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
\u201cDavid 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Losing Kwon could be a blow for New Zealand cycling as the teen has been described as a person with the \u201cpotential to perform at major elite competitions in the future\u201d.<\/p>\n
Kwon said he has appreciated the support from everyone helping him during these difficult times.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really motivating with all the help,\u201d Kwon said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I\u2019m on my bike, I\u2019m always happy. It\u2019s what I love.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a statement to the Herald, O\u2019Connor said the school continues to support Kwon\u2019s application for citizenship.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has been a dedicated student at Auckland Grammar School and has made a meaningful contribution to school life,\u201d O\u2019Connor said. \u201cHe is genuine in his approach and would be a proud New Zealand citizen.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also respect the protocols in place for any application for New Zealand citizenship.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cycling New Zealand said it was supporting the process but didn\u2019t wish to comment further when contacted by the Herald.<\/p>\n