What you need to know about New Zealand's new citizenship test

For the first time, most people applying for New Zealand citizenship by grant will have to pass a test. The Government announced the change in May 2026, and govt.nz says it will start from late 2027. This is a plain-English summary of what govt.nz says so far (its page was last updated on 7 October 2026), and what is still undecided. Details may change.

The short version

From late 2027, most people who apply for New Zealand citizenship by grant will have to pass an in-person test of 20 multiple-choice questions, in English. You need at least 15 correct (75%) to pass. The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) says it will provide study materials before the test becomes a requirement. They have not been released yet.

Who has to take it

The test is for people applying for citizenship by grant. You do not need to sit it if you applied before the test becomes a requirement. govt.nz lists several 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 and current list.

What the test looks like

According to govt.nz:

• It is taken in person.
• It has 20 multiple-choice questions, in English.
• You need at least 15 correct, which is 75%, to pass.

On 7 October 2026 it was announced that Aspeq Limited has been selected to administer the test. Locations are not decided, but the aim is to have test locations throughout New Zealand, not just in the main centres. Cost and how the test will be implemented are still to be decided.

Govt.nz describes the test as a change to how applicants show they meet the requirement, not a change to the requirement itself. Understanding the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship is already required; today applicants show it by making a declaration in their application.

How many attempts you get

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

What it will cover

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
• Travelling overseas on a New Zealand passport

What it costs

There is likely to be a fee for each attempt. It would be on top of the citizenship application fee and charged only to applicants who must sit the test. The amount has not been decided.

What is still being decided

• Where and exactly when the test will be held, and the exact start date
• The fee
• How the test will be implemented
• The study materials, which DIA says will be available before the test is required

Because of this, be careful with any website presenting questions as the "official" test. DIA has not released official questions or study materials. The questions on Citizen Pass are our own practice questions based on the announced topics.

What you can do now

Check the official govt.nz eligibility checker and the citizenship test page above for what applies to you. You can try our free practice questions and exam simulator, which are not official and are not immigration advice.

Sources

• Beehive.govt.nz: Test to strengthen citizenship by grant process
• RNZ: What you need to know about New Zealand's new citizenship test plans
• govt.nz: Citizenship test

This article summarises the govt.nz citizenship test page as of 7 October 2026 and will be updated as the Department of Internal Affairs confirms more detail. Citizen Pass is an independent study tool, is not affiliated with the Department of Internal Affairs or any government, and does not provide immigration or legal advice.