RNZ Morning Report

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has defended the new test for migrants seeking New Zealand citizenship.

From late next year, citizenship applicants will be quizzed on the responsibilities and privileges of being a citizen, needing 75% of questions correct to pass.

Questions would cover topics including the Bill of Rights Act, certain criminal offences, voting rights, democratic principles and the structure of government.

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden said yesterday it would ensure people understood - and were committed to - "the values of democratic freedoms" that made New Zealand "wonderful".

But critics have questioned the point of the test.

"It's a solution without a problem," immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar said.

"Are people currently, who are New Zealand citizens, not sharing these values?…