New Zealand will introduce a citizenship test from late 2027 to strengthen the process of granting citizenship by application. Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden announced the initiative, emphasizing that citizenship is both a privilege and a commitment to shared responsibilities.
The test builds on existing requirements in the Citizenship Act, which already mandate that applicants demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship. Under the new system, applicants will complete an in‑person, multiple‑choice test to prove this knowledge.
Questions will cover topics such as the Bill of Rights Act, human rights, criminal offences, voting rights, democratic principles, the structure of government, and travel rights. Applicants must achieve a score of at least 75% to pass.
The Department of Internal Affairs will provide guidance and resources to help applicants prepare for the test. Work on the implementation process has already begun to ensure the test is ready for applications in the second half of 2027.
Minister van Velden highlighted that becoming a New Zealand citizen is a significant milestone and honour, and the new test reinforces the value of citizenship by ensuring applicants understand the rights and responsibilities it entails.
