Some migrant residents have expressed concern following the government’s announcement that a new citizenship test will be introduced from 2027.
Starting from late next year, people applying for citizenship will need to sit a new test on the responsibilities and privileges that come with being a citizen, with applicants required to answer at least 15 out of 20 questions correctly to pass.
The test is expected to cover topics including the Bill of Rights Act, criminal offences, voting rights, democratic values and how New Zealand’s government is structured.
Wellington resident Victor Wang has lived in New Zealand for about 14 years but had been reluctant to apply for citizenship because it would require him to give up his Chinese citizenship.
China is one of several Asian countries that does not allow dual citizenship.
For Wang, introducing a citizenship test was a positive move, saying it could help people better understand the rights and responsibilities that come with becoming a citizen. However, he believed the new requirement could add more red tape to the citizenship process, along with extra costs tied to testing and administration.
Wang also felt there was room to improve the policy, suggesting exemptions could be considered for people who have lived in New Zealand for more than 10 years or completed their education locally.
Jeremy Li, an Auckland permanent resident who plans to apply for citizenship, said the test was a positive initiative that could help people better understand New Zealand’s values.
However, he was concerned it could be challenging for some applicants and said the test should also be available in languages other than English.
He said migrants have different levels of English ability, and some may struggle to understand more complex topics if the test is only offered in English.
“I think values-based knowledge should be treated as a separate test on its own, allowing migrants to answer in the language they are most comfortable with, whether that’s English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean or another language,” Li said in a conversation with RNZ.
Judah Seomeng, who leads refugee support group ChangeMakers Resettlement Forum, said language support would be an important issue for asylum seekers hoping to gain citizenship in the future.
Seomeng was from Botswana and became a New Zealand citizen last year. With his organisation working with many refugees, he said some cannot read or write. He said it would likely be a challenge for some applicants, noting that many people come from non-English-speaking countries and face significant language barriers.
“Some people don’t even know how to read their own language, so I don’t know how this is going to cater for people like that.”
Seomeng said he’s keen to see the full details of the new test once they’re released and is hopeful that language support will be built into the process.
PM backs new citizenship rules
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is standing by the new requirements for migrants applying for New Zealand citizenship. He says the changes simply bring New Zealand into line with what many other countries are already doing.
“It’s probably not a bad thing to remind people that things like freedom of expression, freedom of speech and women having equal rights … to have them positively affirmed is probably a good thing,” Luxon explained.