Become a New Zealander.
From late 2027, most people applying for New Zealand citizenship by grant will need to pass a test. 20 multiple-choice questions, in English, taken in person. You need 75% to pass.
- 20questions, multiple choice
- 75%required to pass
- 2027launches late next year
- ENEnglish, in person
Everything officially confirmed so far.
The Department of Internal Affairs has announced how the test will work, but not the study materials, the fee, or where you can take it. We will keep this page up to date. Here is what is officially known today, taken from govt.nz.
- 01 When Late 2027
From late 2027, most people applying for citizenship by grant will need to pass a test. The exact start date is not confirmed yet.
- 02 Format 20 multi-choice
20 multiple-choice questions, in English, drawn from a wider question pool. You take the test in person.
- 03 Time limit 45 min
You have 45 minutes to answer the 20 questions. Confirmed in government documents reported by NZ Herald on 11 May 2026.
- 04 Pass mark 15 / 20
You need at least 15 correct answers (75%) to pass. Officials expect over 90% of applicants will pass overall, and at least 80% on their first attempt.
- 05 Retakes Up to 6
Up to 3 attempts. If you do not pass, wait 30 working days, then up to 3 more attempts. After 6 unsuccessful attempts, you can withdraw your application for a partial refund, or have your case considered directly by the Minister of Internal Affairs.
- 06 Fee Separate · TBC
The test fee will be charged separately from the citizenship application fee, and is likely to apply per attempt. The exact amount has not been released yet.
- 07 Locations TBC
Test locations have not been chosen yet. The plan is to have places to take the test all around New Zealand.
- 08 Topics Civics & rights
The Bill of Rights Act, human rights, voting rights and democratic principles, New Zealand’s system of government, some criminal offences, and travelling overseas on a New Zealand passport.
- 09 Study Official
The Department of Internal Affairs will release official study materials before the test starts. They are not available yet.
Not everyone who applies has to take the test.
You will need to take the test if you are applying for New Zealand citizenship by grant and you are aged 16 to 64 when you apply.
You will not need to take the test if any of these apply to you:
- You are under 16 years old
- You are 65 or older
- You have been granted a waiver for the English language requirement for citizenship
- You are not of full capacity
- You have a serious medical condition that stops you taking the test
- You have unique personal circumstances that stop you taking the test
- You are a New Zealand citizen by descent applying for citizenship by grant
- You apply from overseas and meet the presence requirement
Only the official rules count. Always check govt.nz for your own situation before you apply.
Free practice quiz
How well do you know New Zealand?
The official study materials are not out yet. While you wait, try our 20-question practice quiz. Each session draws from the six topic areas govt.nz lists: Bill of Rights, human rights, voting, system of government, criminal offences, and travelling on a NZ passport. Free, no signup, replay as often as you like.
287 practice questions across the six test topics.
The topic areas govt.nz lists for the citizenship test are below. The questions are unofficial practice questions, written from publicly available legislation and government guidance. Browse a topic to see all questions with answers, or take the 20-question practice quiz.
- 01 Bill of Rights Act
- 02 Human rights
- 03 Voting & democracy
- 04 System of government
- 05 Criminal offences
- 06 Passport & travel
Or see the full list of practice questions.
Free apps · iOS & Android
Practice on your phone, anywhere.
The same practice questions in a free app for iOS and Android. Drill questions on the bus, in line, between meetings. No signup, no ads.
Free. Same 365 practice questions you’ll find on this site.
Every official update we know about.
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Government documents reveal 45-minute time limit and more
NZ Herald reporting on government documents confirms a 45-minute time limit for the 20 multiple-choice questions, drawn from a wider question pool. Officials expect overall pass rates above 90% and at least 80% of applicants to pass on their first attempt. The test fee will be separate from the citizenship application fee and an external provider will be contracted to deliver the test. Auckland is expected to host the most tests. After 6 unsuccessful attempts, applicants can withdraw their application or have their case considered directly by the Minister of Internal Affairs.
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Test format and rules announced
The Department of Internal Affairs has confirmed the test format on govt.nz: 20 multiple-choice questions in English, sat in person, 75% required to pass. Up to 3 attempts initially, then 3 more after a 30-working-day wait. After 6 unsuccessful attempts, options include withdrawing your application for a partial refund of your application fee.
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Study materials, exact fee, and locations not yet released
The official study materials, the exact test fee amount, and the list of test centres have not been released. We will add every official update here when it is announced.
Source · Watching
Common questions, answered simply.
01 Is this an official government site?
No. citizenshiptest.co.nz is an independent information site. We are not connected to the New Zealand Government, the Department of Internal Affairs, or any official body. The official source for the test is govt.nz.
02 When does the test start?
From late 2027. The exact start date and the test locations have not been announced by the Department of Internal Affairs yet.
03 How long does the test take?
You have 45 minutes to answer the 20 multiple-choice questions. The time limit was confirmed in government documents reported by NZ Herald on 11 May 2026.
04 How much will the test cost?
The test fee will be charged separately from the citizenship application fee, and is likely to apply per attempt. The exact amount has not been released yet.
05 What happens if I fail?
You can take the test up to 3 times. If you do not pass, you wait at least 30 working days, then you can take it up to 3 more times. That is 6 attempts in total. If you still do not pass after all 6 attempts, options include withdrawing your application for a partial refund, or having your case considered directly by the Minister of Internal Affairs.
06 Are the questions on this site the real test questions?
No. The real test questions are not made public. Our practice questions will be original, written from the official study materials and topic guidance once the Department of Internal Affairs releases them.
07 Is the quick quiz on this site the real citizenship test?
No. The quick quiz is unofficial practice. We wrote the questions ourselves from publicly available legislation and govt.nz guidance, covering the same topic areas the citizenship test will cover. They are not real test questions and they have no official status.
08 When can I start studying?
The Department of Internal Affairs has said it will release official study materials before the test starts. They are not available yet. Join the waitlist and we will email you as soon as they are released.
Be the first to know when the test starts and the official study materials are released.
We will only send you an email when the Department of Internal Affairs releases study materials, and when a test fee is announced. Nothing else.