New Zealand Citizenship Knowledge Quiz 2026: Practice test 3

Practice test 3 of 4 for the New Zealand Citizenship Knowledge Quiz: 20 more questions with answers and explanations.

Citizenship
New Zealand
80 questions
Checked October 11, 2026

Question 1 of 20
In rare cases, who can grant citizenship to someone who does not meet every requirement?
- A district court judge
- The Minister of Internal Affairs
- The Mayor of Auckland
- Any police officer
Show answer
Answer: B. The Minister of Internal Affairs
In rare cases, the Minister of Internal Affairs may grant citizenship even though not all requirements are met.
Question 2 of 20
When does a citizenship test become a requirement for most people applying by grant?
- From late 2027
- Never; it is not planned
- It started in 1840
- It has always been required
Show answer
Answer: A. From late 2027
The government says the test will start in late 2027. People who apply before then will not need to sit it.
Question 3 of 20
How many questions will the planned New Zealand citizenship test have?
- 50 spoken questions
- 100 true-or-false questions
- 20 multiple-choice questions
- 5 essay questions
Show answer
Answer: C. 20 multiple-choice questions
The planned test has 20 multiple-choice questions in English.
Question 4 of 20
What will the pass mark be for the planned citizenship test?
- 20 out of 20
- 15 correct answers out of 20 (75%)
- 10 out of 20
- 12 out of 20
Show answer
Answer: B. 15 correct answers out of 20 (75%)
Applicants will need 15 correct answers, which is 75%.
Question 5 of 20
How will the planned citizenship test be taken?
- By mail
- In person, in English
- Online from home, in any language
- By phone
Show answer
Answer: B. In person, in English
The test will be sat in person and the questions will be in English.
Question 6 of 20
Which age groups will NOT need to sit the planned citizenship test?
- People over 40
- People aged 18 to 25
- Everyone born in winter
- People under 16 and people aged 65 or over
Show answer
Answer: D. People under 16 and people aged 65 or over
People under 16 or aged 65 and over are exempt from the test.
Question 7 of 20
Which topic is listed for the planned citizenship test?
- Famous film stars
- World football results
- Cooking recipes
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Show answer
Answer: D. Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Listed 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.
Question 8 of 20
Under the planned rules, what happens after 3 failed attempts at the citizenship test?
- You pass automatically
- You must wait at least 30 working days before up to 3 more attempts
- You can never apply again
- You must leave New Zealand
Show answer
Answer: B. You must wait at least 30 working days before up to 3 more attempts
After 3 failed attempts there is a wait of at least 30 working days, then up to 3 more attempts.
Question 9 of 20
You apply for citizenship before the test becomes a requirement. Do you need to sit the test?
- No
- Yes, twice
- Yes, if you are under 65
- Only if you were born in winter
Show answer
Answer: A. No
People who have already applied, or apply before the test starts, do not need to sit it.
Question 10 of 20
Which existing citizenship requirement will the new test help applicants show they meet?
- Having a university degree
- Having a job offer
- Owning property
- Understanding the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship
Show answer
Answer: D. Understanding the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship
The test changes how applicants show they understand the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship; the requirement itself is not new.
Question 11 of 20
Who will provide study material for the planned citizenship test?
- The Reserve Bank
- The Ministry of Transport
- Each applicant's employer
- The Department of Internal Affairs
Show answer
Answer: D. The Department of Internal Affairs
The Department of Internal Affairs says it will provide study materials before the test is required.
Question 12 of 20
What kind of constitution does New Zealand have?
- One written constitution from 1840
- No rules for government at all
- An unwritten constitution, not one single document
- A constitution written by Australia
Show answer
Answer: C. An unwritten constitution, not one single document
New Zealand has an unwritten constitution. Its rules come from several Acts, documents and conventions.
Question 13 of 20
What type of system of government does New Zealand have?
- A military government
- An absolute monarchy
- A one-party state
- A constitutional monarchy
Show answer
Answer: D. A constitutional monarchy
New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy: the King is Head of State, and elected MPs make the laws.
Question 14 of 20
Who is New Zealand's Head of State?
- The Prime Minister
- The Chief Justice
- The Speaker of the House
- The King of New Zealand (the Sovereign)
Show answer
Answer: D. The King of New Zealand (the Sovereign)
The Sovereign, the King of New Zealand, is Head of State. The Prime Minister leads the government.
Question 15 of 20
Who represents the King in New Zealand?
- The Mayor of Wellington
- The Prime Minister
- The Chief Electoral Officer
- The Governor-General
Show answer
Answer: D. The Governor-General
The Governor-General is the King's representative and carries out constitutional, ceremonial and community duties.
Question 16 of 20
How do the King and the Governor-General take part in elections?
- They choose the winning party
- They vote first in every election
- They each lead a political party
- They stay politically neutral and do not take part
Show answer
Answer: D. They stay politically neutral and do not take part
The King and the Governor-General are politically neutral and do not take part in elections.
Question 17 of 20
What makes up the New Zealand Parliament?
- The Senate and the House of Lords
- The Prime Minister and the courts
- The councils of every city
- The House of Representatives and the Governor-General
Show answer
Answer: D. The House of Representatives and the Governor-General
Parliament is the House of Representatives, made up of elected MPs, together with the Governor-General.
Question 18 of 20
What is the maximum term of the House of Representatives before an election must be held?
- Four years
- Three years
- Five years
- Seven years
Show answer
Answer: B. Three years
The House is elected for a maximum term of three years.
Question 19 of 20
Which electoral system does New Zealand use to elect Parliament?
- The King appoints all MPs
- Preferential voting for the Senate
- Mixed Member Proportional (MMP)
- First past the post only
Show answer
Answer: C. Mixed Member Proportional (MMP)
New Zealand uses MMP, a proportional system where each party's share of seats roughly matches its share of the party vote.
Question 20 of 20
Under MMP, how many votes does each voter have in a general election?
- No vote; MPs are appointed
- Two: a party vote and an electorate vote
- One vote for the Prime Minister
- Three: party, electorate and mayor
Show answer
Answer: B. Two: a party vote and an electorate vote
The party vote mainly decides how many seats each party gets; the electorate vote chooses a local MP.

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