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New Zealand Citizenship Knowledge Quiz 2026

New Zealand does not have a citizenship test yet. The government plans one from late 2027: 20 multiple-choice questions, with 15 correct needed to pass. Until then, this quiz helps you learn about Te Tiriti o Waitangi, New Zealand history, government, voting and the citizenship requirements.

  • Citizenship
  • New Zealand
  • 80 questions
  • Checked October 11, 2026

Quick answer

It is run by Department of Internal Affairs (Te Tari Taiwhenua), Citizenship Office. Practise here for free with 80 questions, each with the answer and an explanation. Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026.

Read before you practiseStart with the New Zealand Citizenship Study Guide: plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.

  1. Question 1 of 20

    Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) is often described as what?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. New Zealand's founding document

    The Treaty is seen as the founding document of New Zealand as a nation.

  2. Question 2 of 20

    On what date was Te Tiriti o Waitangi first signed?
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    Answer: D. 6 February 1840

    It was first signed at Waitangi on 6 February 1840. That day is now a public holiday.

  3. Question 3 of 20

    Where was Te Tiriti o Waitangi first signed?
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    Answer: C. At Waitangi in the Bay of Islands

    The Treaty is named after Waitangi, the place in the Bay of Islands where it was first signed.

  4. Question 4 of 20

    Which public holiday marks the first signing of the Treaty?
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    Answer: B. Waitangi Day, 6 February

    6 February, the day the Treaty was first signed, is now a New Zealand public holiday.

  5. Question 5 of 20

    Who were the two sides in Te Tiriti o Waitangi?
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    Answer: B. The British Crown and Māori rangatira (chiefs)

    The Treaty is an agreement between the British Crown and about 540 Māori rangatira.

  6. Question 6 of 20

    About how many Māori rangatira (chiefs) signed the Treaty in 1840?
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    Answer: A. About 540

    About 40 chiefs signed on 6 February, and about 500 more signed copies taken around the country by September.

  7. Question 7 of 20

    In which languages was Te Tiriti o Waitangi written?
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    Answer: A. Māori and English

    The Treaty has a Māori text and an English text, and they differ in important ways.

  8. Question 8 of 20

    Which British official was sent to secure British sovereignty over New Zealand in 1840?
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    Answer: C. Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson

    William Hobson was given the task of securing British sovereignty and arrived to arrange the Treaty.

  9. Question 9 of 20

    What was James Busby's role before the Treaty?
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    Answer: D. He was the British Resident in New Zealand

    James Busby was the British Resident and helped Hobson prepare the Treaty.

  10. Question 10 of 20

    Who translated the English draft of the Treaty into Māori?
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    Answer: A. Missionary Henry Williams and his son Edward

    Henry Williams and his son Edward translated the draft into Māori overnight on 4 February 1840.

  11. Question 11 of 20

    Which chief was the first to sign the Treaty on 6 February 1840?
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    Answer: B. Hōne Heke

    About 40 chiefs signed on 6 February, starting with Hōne Heke.

  12. Question 12 of 20

    Why did Britain decide to take action in New Zealand in the late 1830s?
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    Answer: D. More British settlers were arriving, land deals were growing and France seemed interested

    Growing settlement, large land transactions, lawless settlers and signs of French interest led Britain to act.

  13. Question 13 of 20

    On which text did almost all rangatira sign?
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    Answer: A. The Māori text

    Almost all of the signatures are on the Māori text of the Treaty.

  14. Question 14 of 20

    When was British sovereignty over New Zealand proclaimed?
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    Answer: B. 21 May 1840

    British sovereignty was proclaimed on 21 May 1840, a few months after the first signing.

  15. Question 15 of 20

    How many articles does Te Tiriti o Waitangi have?
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    Answer: D. Three

    The Treaty is short, with three articles plus a preamble.

  16. Question 16 of 20

    In the English text of the Treaty, what did Māori give to the Crown?
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    Answer: D. Sovereignty over New Zealand

    The English text says Māori ceded sovereignty to Britain.

  17. Question 17 of 20

    In the English text, what special right over land did the Crown get?
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    Answer: D. The only right to buy land that Māori wished to sell

    The English text gave the Crown an exclusive right to buy land Māori wanted to sell (pre-emption).

  18. Question 18 of 20

    In the English text, what were Māori guaranteed?
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    Answer: B. Full ownership of their lands, forests, fisheries and other possessions

    The English text guaranteed Māori full, undisturbed possession of their properties.

  19. Question 19 of 20

    Under the English text, what status did Māori receive?
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    Answer: A. The rights and privileges of British subjects

    The Treaty gave Māori the rights and privileges of British subjects.

  20. Question 20 of 20

    In the Māori text, the word 'sovereignty' was translated as 'kawanatanga'. What does kawanatanga mean?
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    Answer: D. Governance

    Kawanatanga means governance. Many Māori believed they kept authority over their own affairs.

What to know before the test

  • There is no citizenship test yet. From late 2027 most people applying for citizenship by grant will need to pass one.
  • The planned test has 20 multiple-choice questions in English, sat in person. You need 15 correct (75%) to pass.
  • People under 16 or aged 65 and over, and people with an English language waiver, will not need to sit the test.
  • Planned test topics include the Bill of Rights Act, human rights, voting, the system of government, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, some criminal offences and travelling on a New Zealand passport.
  • To get citizenship by grant you must meet presence requirements, intend to keep living in New Zealand, be of good character and be able to hold a basic conversation in English.
  • Te Tiriti o Waitangi was first signed at Waitangi on 6 February 1840 by the British Crown and Māori rangatira; about 540 rangatira signed in total.

Frequently asked questions

Does New Zealand have a citizenship test?

Not yet. The government says a test will be required from late 2027 for most people applying by grant. If you apply before it starts, you will not need to sit it.

What will the New Zealand citizenship test look like?

It is planned to have 20 multiple-choice questions in English, taken in person. You will need 15 correct answers (75%) to pass. Our mock quiz uses the same 20-question, 15-to-pass format.

Who will not have to sit the test?

People under 16 or aged 65 and over, people granted an English language waiver, and some others, such as people with a severe medical condition that prevents them from sitting it.

What do I need for citizenship by grant now?

You must have been present in New Zealand for the required time and intend to keep living here, be of good character, and be able to hold a basic conversation in English. Check the exact rules on govt.nz.

Are these official test questions?

No. These are original practice questions on the topics the government lists. The Department of Internal Affairs says it will publish study material before the test starts.

Sources

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