{"id":56826,"date":"2026-05-25T16:58:52","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T06:58:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/absoluteimmigration.com\/nz\/?p=56826"},"modified":"2026-05-20T12:21:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T02:21:05","slug":"new-zealand-citizenship-test-to-become-mandatory-from-2027","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/absoluteimmigration.com\/nz\/news\/new-zealand-citizenship-test-to-become-mandatory-from-2027\/","title":{"rendered":"New Zealand citizenship test to become mandatory from 2027"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"56826\" class=\"elementor elementor-56826\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e26c462 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e26c462\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-afa09d7\" data-id=\"afa09d7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0881fec elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0881fec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Author:<\/strong> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><span style=\"color: #ed7d31\"><a style=\"color: #ed7d31;text-decoration: underline\" href=\"https:\/\/absoluteimmigration.com\/nz\/our-team\/anita-alletson\/\">Anita Alletson \u2013 Immigration Manager<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3086561 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3086561\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9ba834c\" data-id=\"9ba834c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e40026e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e40026e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><span style=\"color: #ed7d31\"><strong>NZ <span style=\"color: #ed7d31\">citizenship<\/span> test to become mandatory from 2027<\/strong><\/span><\/h2><p>The New Zealand Government has confirmed that a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><span style=\"color: #ed7d31\"><a style=\"color: #ed7d31;text-decoration: underline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.govt.nz\/browse\/passports-citizenship-and-identity\/nz-citizenship\/citizenship-test\/\">formal citizenship test<\/a><\/span><\/span> will be introduced from late 2027 for most people applying for New Zealand citizenship by grant.<\/p><p>The change will affect future applicants only. Individuals who have already applied for citizenship, or who lodge their application before the test becomes mandatory in 2027, will not need to complete the test.<\/p><p>The<span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><span style=\"color: #ed7d31\"> <a style=\"color: #ed7d31;text-decoration: underline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dia.govt.nz\/press.nsf\/d77da9b523f12931cc256ac5000d19b6\/79b76cebec6bf9b3cc258dee007ca685!OpenDocument\">Department of Internal Affairs<\/a><\/span><\/span> has stated that the test is intended to assess whether applicants understand the responsibilities and privileges that come with being a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><span style=\"color: #ed7d31\"><a style=\"color: #ed7d31;text-decoration: underline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.govt.nz\/browse\/passports-citizenship-and-identity\/nz-citizenship\/citizenship-test\/\">New Zealand citizen<\/a><\/span><\/span>. This understanding is already a requirement under the current citizenship framework, however applicants currently satisfy this requirement through a declaration form within their application.<\/p><p>The upcoming test changes how applicants demonstrate this requirement rather than introducing a new eligibility criterion.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c79528 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4c79528\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteimmigration.com\/nz\/\">.<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-01bb07e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"01bb07e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7866d61\" data-id=\"7866d61\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17bfbc5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"17bfbc5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><span style=\"color: #ed7d31\"><strong>Who will need to sit the citizenship test<\/strong><\/span><\/h2><p>Once implemented, most citizenship by grant applicants will be required to complete the test.<\/p><p>However, exemptions will apply to certain applicants.<\/p><p><strong>Including people who:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Are under 16 years of age<\/li><li>Are aged 65 years or older<\/li><li>Have received a waiver for the English language requirement<\/li><li>Are not of full capacity<\/li><li>Have a severe medical condition preventing them from completing the test<\/li><li>Have unique personal circumstances preventing completion of the test<\/li><li>Are New Zealand citizens by descent applying for citizenship by grant<\/li><li>Are applying from overseas while meeting presence requirements, such as individuals living in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau, or those working overseas for the New Zealand Government<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02e4252 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"02e4252\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteimmigration.com\/nz\/\">.<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4c47c1e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4c47c1e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4ab1c9b\" data-id=\"4ab1c9b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-018bdd7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"018bdd7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><span style=\"color: #ed7d31\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ed7d31\">Topics expected to be covered<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2><p>The citizenship test will focus on civic knowledge and understanding of New Zealand\u2019s legal and democratic systems.<\/p><p><strong>According to the Department of Internal Affairs, topics are expected to include:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Voting rights and democratic principles<\/li><li>Certain criminal offences<\/li><li>The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act<\/li><li>Human rights<\/li><li>Travelling overseas using a New Zealand passport<\/li><li>New Zealand\u2019s system of government<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>The Government has confirmed that official study materials will be made available before the test becomes a formal requirement.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-236477c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"236477c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteimmigration.com\/nz\/\">.<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d56c5de elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d56c5de\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e32e939\" data-id=\"e32e939\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-defd05d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"defd05d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><span style=\"color: #ed7d31\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ed7d31\">How the citizenship test will work<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2><p>Current information released by the Government indicates that applicants will sit the test in person at designated locations across New Zealand. The aim is to provide testing locations beyond the main metropolitan centres.<\/p><p><strong>The test is expected to:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Be completed in English<\/li><li>Contain 20 multiple-choice questions<\/li><li>Require at least 15 correct answers equalling a 75% pass rate<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>A separate fee is also expected to apply for each test attempt, in addition to the citizenship application fee. The exact amount has not yet been confirmed.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc9971a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dc9971a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteimmigration.com\/nz\/\">.<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-423975d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"423975d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-64cd8bf\" data-id=\"64cd8bf\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e297423 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e297423\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><span style=\"color: #ed7d31\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ed7d31\">What happens if an applicant does not pass<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2><p>Applicants who do not pass on their first attempt will be able to rebook and sit the test again.<\/p><p>If an applicant fails three attempts, they will be required to wait at least 30 working days before becoming eligible for another three attempts.<\/p><p>Applicants who do not pass after six attempts may be provided with further options, including the ability to withdraw their application and receive a partial refund of the citizenship application fee.<\/p><p>The NZ Government has indicated that a fee will likely apply each time the test is taken.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a1a37a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0a1a37a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteimmigration.com\/nz\/\">.<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cb1d57d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cb1d57d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-252e341\" data-id=\"252e341\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d884b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5d884b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><span style=\"color: #ed7d31\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ed7d31\">Important considerations for future applicants<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2><p>The New Zealand Government has advised individuals considering citizenship applications to ensure they meet all eligibility requirements at the time they apply. Applications that do not meet the requirements may be unsuccessful, and full application fee refunds may not be available.<\/p><p>Applicants who lodge before the citizenship test becomes mandatory in 2027 will not be required to sit the test. However, those applying after implementation should expect the new testing process to form part of standard citizenship assessments.<\/p><p>Further details, including the exact commencement date, test fees, exemptions, and administrative processes, are expected to be released as implementation work progresses.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2fef1b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f2fef1b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteimmigration.com\/nz\/\">.<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a9a3c4f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a9a3c4f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-319dc10\" data-id=\"319dc10\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf17050 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cf17050\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><span style=\"color: #ed7d31\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ed7d31\">How Absolute Immigration NZ can help<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2><p>Absolute Immigration NZ assists individuals and families with navigating New Zealand visa and citizenship requirements and preparing strong, approval ready citizenship by grant applications.<\/p><p><strong>This includes:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Assessing citizenship eligibility and residence requirements<\/li><li>Reviewing potential risks before lodgement<\/li><li>Assisting with application preparation and supporting documents<\/li><li>Providing guidance on the upcoming citizenship test requirements from 2027<\/li><li>Supporting long-term migration and residence planning in New Zealand<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>For tailored advice on New Zealand citizenship pathways, contact <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><span style=\"color: #ed7d31\"><a style=\"color: #ed7d31;text-decoration: underline\" href=\"https:\/\/absoluteimmigration.com\/nz\/contact-us\/\">Absolute Immigration NZ<\/a><\/span><\/span> or email us at <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><span style=\"color: #ed7d31;text-decoration: underline\"><a style=\"color: #ed7d31;text-decoration: underline\" href=\"mailto:aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com\">aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e91c0cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e91c0cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteimmigration.com\/nz\/\">.<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New Zealand will introduce a citizenship test from late 2027 for most citizenship by grant applicants, replacing the current declaration process with a formal assessment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":56828,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,20],"tags":[794,795,266,29,94,793],"class_list":["post-56826","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-new-zealand","tag-citizenship-by-grant","tag-department-of-internal-affairs","tag-immigration-updates","tag-new-zealand-immigration","tag-new-zealand-passport","tag-nz-citizenship"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>New Zealand citizenship test to become mandatory from 2027 - Absolute Immigration<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"New Zealand will introduce a citizenship test from late 2027, replacing the current declaration process with a formal assessment.\" 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