New Zealand’s citizenship process is set for a major update, with a new test planned for most adults applying for citizenship by grant from late 2027.
The change means applicants will no longer rely only on signing a declaration that they understand the responsibilities and privileges of becoming a New Zealand citizen. Instead, they will need to show that knowledge through a formal multiple-choice test.
The proposed test will cover New Zealand’s democratic system, legal rights, voting rules, government structure and civic responsibilities. Applicants will need a score of at least 75% to pass.
For migrants already planning their citizenship journey, the announcement is important because it could change how they prepare before applying. While the test is not expected to begin until the second half of 2027, officials have already started work on the rollout.
New Zealand Citizenship Test: What Applicants Should Expect
The Department of Internal Affairs is still finalising the operational details, but the test is currently expected to include 20 multiple-choice questions. Applicants would need to answer 15 correctly to meet the 75% pass mark.
The test is expected to be taken in person and will focus on whether applicants understand the basic principles that come with New Zealand citizenship.
Topics planned for the test include the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act, human rights, voting rights, democratic principles, the structure of government, travel to and from New Zealand, and certain criminal offences.
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden said the change is intended to give more weight to the citizenship process.
“People seeking citizenship should understand New Zealanders believe in certain rights, like freedom of speech, or that no one person or group is above the law,” van Velden said.
The Government says the test builds on an existing requirement in the Citizenship Act, which requires the Minister of Internal Affairs to be satisfied that applicants have sufficient knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.
At the moment, that requirement is met through a written declaration. From late 2027, most adult applicants will need to prove that understanding through the new test.
Who Will Need to Take the New NZ Citizenship Test?
The new test will apply to most adult applicants seeking New Zealand citizenship by grant. This is the common pathway used by many migrants who have lived in the country as residents before applying to become citizens.
Applicants under 16 and over 65 will not be required to take the test. People applying through citizenship by birth, citizenship by descent or Western Samoa pathways will also not need to complete it.
Some applicants may qualify for exemptions, although the full details have not yet been released. The Department of Internal Affairs is expected to provide more information before the test becomes mandatory.
Citizenship by grant already has several requirements. Applicants usually need to have held a resident visa for at least five years, meet basic English requirements, be of good character and spend enough time physically present in New Zealand.
Under the current presence requirement, applicants generally need to have been in New Zealand for at least 240 days in each of the five years before applying, or 1350 days in total.
More information about current citizenship rules is available on the official New Zealand Government citizenship website.
Why the Government Is Introducing the Test
The Government says the new test is about reinforcing the value of New Zealand citizenship. Citizenship gives people important rights, including the right to vote, access to a New Zealand passport and the ability to travel in and out of the country as a citizen.
It also comes with responsibilities, including obeying New Zealand law, taking part in democratic life and understanding the freedoms protected in the country’s legal system.
Van Velden said becoming a citizen is a significant milestone and a great honour. She said the new test is designed to ensure applicants understand what it means to obtain citizenship.
The announcement has also been welcomed by ACT leader David Seymour, who said the policy reflects a long-running ACT position that new citizens should understand equal legal rights, free speech, religious freedom and democratic values.
Seymour said the idea is not about closing New Zealand off from the world, but about being clear on the values that make the country worth joining.
NZ First leader Winston Peters has also previously raised similar themes around “Kiwi values”, showing that citizenship standards and integration have become bigger political topics in New Zealand.
What It Means for Migrants Planning to Apply
For current residents hoping to apply for citizenship before the test begins, the existing process remains in place for now. The new requirement is expected to apply from late 2027, not immediately.
However, migrants who may become eligible around 2027 or later should watch for official guidance from the Department of Internal Affairs. Study resources will be released before the test starts, and applicants will be encouraged to prepare using those materials.
The test is also expected to come with a separate fee, likely in addition to the normal citizenship application cost. Officials have said the cost of introducing and administering the test will be covered through fees.
The key point for applicants is that the citizenship pathway is not being removed. The Government is adding a new knowledge requirement to the existing process.
That means residency, character, English and physical presence rules will still matter, but applicants will also need to show they understand New Zealand’s rights, laws and democratic system.
For many migrants, the change will make citizenship preparation more formal. Instead of only completing forms and meeting eligibility checks, applicants may need to study official material and pass the civic knowledge test before approval.
With the launch still more than a year away, further details are expected before the test becomes a legal requirement. Until then, applicants should rely on official government updates and avoid misinformation about the process.
The citizenship test marks a clear shift in how New Zealand wants future citizens to understand the country they are joining. For applicants, the message is simple: meeting residency rules will still be essential, but knowing New Zealand’s rights, laws and democratic values will soon become part of the path to citizenship.
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