Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden announced today that a test to strengthen the citizenship by grant process will be introduced from late 2027.
“Citizenship is a commitment to our shared responsibilities and privileges. By ensuring applicants understand these responsibilities and privileges, we strengthen what it means to be a citizen of New Zealand,” says Ms van Velden. …
“People seeking citizenship should understand New Zealanders believe in certain rights, like freedom of speech, or that no one person or group is above the law. This test ensures people have sufficient knowledge of their responsibilities and privileges before receiving citizenship by grant.”
Questions will include topics such as the Bill of Rights Act, human rights, certain criminal offences, voting rights, democratic principles, the structure of government, and travel to and from New Zealand. Applicants will be required to get 75% of questions correct to pass.
This is an excellent idea, and something I have mooted for well over a decade. Many countries, such as Australia, already do this. Their sample test is here. I got 19/20 correct.
Countries are not just land masses. They have values. Making sure aspiring citizens understand the basic values of the country they wish to join is good.
David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition Leaders
2 comments:
And I hope that they are expected to take the test in English without the assistance of an interpreter!
Surely the evils of colonisation should be included in the test as prospective citizens will be hearing and hearing endlessly about why NZ is such a wretched place because of it?
Post a Comment
Thank you for joining the discussion. Breaking Views welcomes respectful contributions that enrich the debate. Please ensure your comments are not defamatory, derogatory or disruptive. We appreciate your cooperation.