Starting in 2027, migrants aspiring to become New Zealand citizens will be required to pass a formal citizenship test as part of a major overhaul of the naturalisation process.
New Zealand’s Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden announced that applicants will need to take an in-person, English-language, 20-question multiple-choice exam. A minimum score of 75%—15 correct answers—will be required to pass.
The test will assess knowledge of key civic and constitutional topics, including the Bill of Rights Act, human rights, democratic values, voting rights, criminal law, the structure of government, and rules related to holding a New Zealand passport and travelling overseas.
According to van Velden, the aim is to ensure that new citizens clearly understand the rights and responsibilities that come with citizenship. She noted that core values such as freedom of speech and equality before the law form an essential part of what the test will evaluate.
This marks a significant change from the current system, where applicants only need to sign a declaration confirming their understanding of citizenship responsibilities, without any formal examination.
The government has confirmed that certain groups will be exempt from the test, including applicants under 16 or over 65, individuals with severe medical conditions or limited capacity, and those granted waivers for English language requirements. Some overseas applicants, including citizens of Niue, the Cook Islands, Tokelau, and New Zealand government employees stationed abroad, will also be exempt.
Applicants who fail the test initially will be allowed to retake it. After three unsuccessful attempts, they must wait 30 working days before being given up to three additional tries. Those who still do not pass after six attempts may either withdraw their application or seek a partial refund of fees, depending on eligibility.
While a fee for each attempt is expected in addition to the standard citizenship application cost, the exact amount has not yet been decided. Test centres are planned across New Zealand, and study materials will be provided in advance to help applicants prepare.
Those who have already applied before the new rule takes effect will not be required to take the test. The citizenship exam is expected to be fully implemented in the second half of 2027, with further details on costs, scheduling, and exemptions to be released closer to rollout.
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