A quick recap

The Department of Internal Affairs has confirmed that, from the second half of 2027, applicants for citizenship by grant will need to pass a multi-choice test. The test has 20 questions, a 75% pass mark (15 of 20 correct), runs in English, and lasts up to 45 minutes. Up to six attempts are allowed.

If that's all you wanted to know, the complete guide to the test covers the policy in detail. This article focuses on what the experience will likely feel like in practice — booking, the day itself, the 45 minutes, and what happens after.

A note on what's confirmed

DIA has confirmed the high-level format but many operational details — exact test centres, fees, accessibility accommodations, whether the result is instant — are still being finalised. Where this article describes specific procedures, we say whether DIA has confirmed them or whether we're inferring from how comparable tests work in Australia and the UK.

Booking the test

DIA has indicated that the test will be delivered in person at test centres located throughout New Zealand, not only in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. The exact list of centres has not yet been announced — this will likely come closer to the late-2027 launch date.

Based on the procurement tender and how Australia and the UK run their equivalent systems, you can expect the booking process to look like this:

  1. Receive an invitation from DIA to book the test, after the test component of your citizenship application is queued for processing.
  2. Book online through a designated portal, choosing a centre and an available time slot.
  3. Pay the test fee at the time of booking. The fee has not been finalised; the procurement tender referred to a per-test cost of NZD $24, but this could change.
  4. Receive a confirmation with your booking details and any preparation guidance.

Slot availability will likely depend on demand. In Australia, busy centres in major cities can have waits of 2-4 weeks for the next available slot, while smaller centres are typically faster. NZ should be similar at launch, with availability tightening if demand spikes — for example, in the months immediately after the test goes live.

What to bring on the day

DIA hasn't published a definitive list yet, but based on Australia and UK practice, expect to need:

What you can't take into the test room (again, based on comparable systems):

The test environment

The procurement tender confirms that the test will be delivered digitally — meaning you'll be working on a computer or tablet, not pencil-and-paper. The likely setup, based on how Australia and the UK run their tests:

The cheating-prevention measures specified in DIA's tender suggest that workstations will be separated from each other, screens will not be easily visible to neighbours, and there may be some form of monitoring during the test. This is standard for any modern in-centre civic test.

The 45 minutes

Twenty questions in 45 minutes works out to 2 minutes 15 seconds per question on average. That's far more time than you'll need for most multi-choice questions. Don't rush.

The expected interface (based on Australia, UK, and the digital tender):

Pacing tips

Getting your result

DIA hasn't yet confirmed whether results are issued instantly or after a short delay. The digital format of the test makes instant on-screen result the most likely outcome — that's the standard for digital civic tests in Australia, the UK, and most US naturalisation contexts. But this is inference, not confirmed.

What you'll want to know:

If you pass, the rest of your citizenship application moves forward in the normal queue. The test result alone doesn't grant citizenship — DIA still has to approve the full application, after which you attend a citizenship ceremony.

If you don't pass

The 6-attempt structure works as follows, based on what DIA has confirmed:

  1. Attempts 1-3: take the test, rebook if you don't pass. There's no mandatory waiting period between these three attempts beyond booking availability.
  2. Mandatory wait: at least 30 working days (about six weeks) before you can try again, after the third unsuccessful attempt.
  3. Attempts 4-6: three further attempts, again with no mandatory wait between them.
  4. After 6 unsuccessful attempts: you're referred back to DIA. Options include withdrawing your citizenship application (with a partial fee refund) or asking the Minister of Internal Affairs to consider the application directly.

Each attempt will likely require its own fee. If the indicative $24 figure holds, six attempts would cost up to NZD $144 in test fees alone. For most applicants this is manageable — but it's worth budgeting for, especially if your English is not strong or you haven't had time to study.

The good news: comparable countries report pass rates above 90%, with most applicants passing on their first attempt. The six-attempt structure is a generous safety margin, not a likely outcome.

Common mistakes to avoid

Drawn from how applicants trip themselves up on the Australian and UK tests:

What we still don't know

DIA has not yet confirmed:

All of these are expected to be announced before the test goes live. We'll update this article as DIA publishes more detail.

What to do now

If you're going to need to take the test:

This article is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Operational details about the test will be confirmed by DIA before the late-2027 launch. For your specific situation, consult a licensed immigration adviser or DIA directly.