Planned from late 2027

The New Zealand citizenship test is coming.

From late 2027, most people applying for New Zealand citizenship by grant will have to pass a test: 20 multiple-choice questions, in English, in person. Citizen Pass New Zealand has free practice questions based on the announced topics. They are not official questions.

Independent study tool by Citizen Pass. Not affiliated with the Department of Internal Affairs or any government agency. Not immigration or legal advice. Sources: Beehive.govt.nz · govt.nz.

Study by topic

116 practice questions across the announced topics, including Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Practice questions based on the announced topics, not official questions.

Bill of Rights Act14 questions · Not started0%

Human rights8 questions · Not started0%

Voting rights and democracy20 questions · Not started0%

System of government18 questions · Not started0%

Te Tiriti o Waitangi16 questions · Not started0%

Some criminal offences20 questions · Not started0%

Travelling overseas on a New Zealand passport20 questions · Not started0%

Study tools

Everything here is free, no account needed.

Exam simulator

A practice run: 20 questions across all topics, 15 correct (75%) to pass, scored at the end. English only, like the real test.

IQ Readiness Score

See your readiness score, topic mastery, and progress over time.

Review your misses

Go back over the questions you got wrong or flagged.

What is changing

In May 2026 the Government announced a test for people applying for citizenship by grant. govt.nz says it will start from late 2027, and on 7 October 2026 Aspeq Limited was selected to administer it. Locations, cost and how it is implemented are still to be decided.

It applies to people applying for citizenship by grant, with some exemptions listed on govt.nz. Check the govt.nz citizenship test page to see whether it applies to you.

What to expect

A knowledge test taken in person, in English, with multiple-choice questions. It is a new way to show you understand the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship, not a new requirement.

FormatIn person, multiple choice

Questions20 questions

Pass markAt least 15 correct (75%)

LanguageEnglish

WhereLocations are not decided, but the aim is test locations throughout New Zealand, not just the main centres

DetailsCost and how the test will be run are still to be decided

Tools and guides

Get ahead while we wait for the official material. The Department of Internal Affairs has not released study materials yet.

Guide

What you need to know about the test

A plain-English explainer of the planned citizenship test: the format, topics, attempts, and what is still undecided.

Read the guide

From late 2027, most people who apply for New Zealand citizenship by grant. You do not need to sit it if you applied before the test becomes a requirement. govt.nz lists exemptions, including people under 16 or aged 65 or over, people with a waiver of the English language requirement, and New Zealand citizens by descent applying for a grant. Check the govt.nz citizenship test page for the full list.

It is planned to start from late 2027. The exact date has not been set, and the details may change.

According to govt.nz, it is an in-person test of 20 multiple-choice questions in English. You need at least 15 correct (75%) to pass.

If you fail, you can rebook. After 3 attempts you must wait at least 30 working days, then you can have up to 3 more attempts. After 6 attempts there are options, including withdrawing your application for a partial refund.

There is likely to be a fee for each attempt, but the amount has not been decided.

govt.nz lists these topics: the Bill of Rights Act, human rights, voting rights and democratic principles, New Zealand's system of government, Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi), some criminal offences, and travelling overseas on a New Zealand passport.

Not yet. The Department of Internal Affairs says it will provide study materials before the test becomes a requirement. The questions on this site are our own practice questions based on the announced topics. They are not official questions. Be careful of any site presenting questions as official.

This page summarises the govt.nz citizenship test page (last updated 7 October 2026). The start date, fee and format details may change before the test starts. Our questions are practice questions based on the announced topics, not official questions. Last reviewed November 2026.

The New Zealand citizenship test is coming.

Independent study tool by Citizen Pass. Not affiliated with the Department of Internal Affairs or any government agency. Not immigration or legal advice. Sources: Beehive.govt.nz · govt.nz.

What is changing

It applies to people applying for citizenship by grant, with some exemptions listed on govt.nz. Check the govt.nz citizenship test page to see whether it applies to you.

What to expect

A knowledge test taken in person, in English, with multiple-choice questions. It is a new way to show you understand the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship, not a new requirement.

FormatIn person, multiple choice

Questions20 questions

Pass markAt least 15 correct (75%)

LanguageEnglish

WhereLocations are not decided, but the aim is test locations throughout New Zealand, not just the main centres

DetailsCost and how the test will be run are still to be decided