NZ Citizenship Test key terms

The Māori-language text signed at Waitangi on 6 February 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and many Māori chiefs. It is a founding constitutional document, and its meaning differs in places from the English version.

In the Māori text of the Treaty, the authority and chieftainship retained by Māori over their lands, villages and treasured possessions. Article Two guarantees it to chiefs, and it remains central to Treaty debates.

The Māori term used in Article One of the Treaty for the governorship or government ceded to the Crown. Its scope is debated because it is not the same word as sovereignty.

The law that established the Waitangi Tribunal and allowed claims about Crown actions that breach the principles of the Treaty. It was amended in 1985 so claims could reach back to 1840.

A standing commission of inquiry that investigates Māori claims that the Crown has breached Treaty principles. It can recommend remedies to the Crown but does not make binding orders.

The broad obligations courts and governments draw from the Treaty, such as partnership, active protection, redress and good-faith consultation. They are used when applying the Treaty to modern law and policy.

In New Zealand law, the Crown means the state as a legal person, acting through ministers, departments and agencies. Treaty settlements and many legal duties are owed by the Crown.

A negotiated agreement between the Crown and a claimant group that resolves historical Treaty grievances. It usually includes an apology, cultural redress and financial or commercial redress, and is passed into law.

A large Māori tribal grouping made up of related hapū and whānau, with its own identity, history and leadership structures. Iwi are often the claimant groups in Treaty settlements.

A Māori sub-tribe or kinship group within an iwi, usually connected to a particular area and marae. Hapū are the primary political and land-holding communities in traditional Māori society.

An extended Māori family or kinship group, wider than a nuclear household. It is a basic social unit and carries responsibilities of mutual care and support.

A Māori communal meeting place, usually including an open courtyard and a carved meeting house. It is used for welcomes, tangihanga, meetings and teaching of culture and language.

The carved meeting house on a marae, often representing an ancestor. Its structure and decorations carry tribal history, and visitors are usually welcomed into it during a pōwhiri.

A formal Māori welcome ceremony held on a marae or at official events. It includes speeches, songs, the hongi and often a meal, and follows protocols set by the host group.

The traditional Māori greeting in which two people press noses and sometimes foreheads. It symbolises sharing breath and is part of formal welcomes.

A Māori funeral and mourning period, usually held at a marae over several days. Family and visitors gather to speak, sing and farewell the deceased before burial.

A Māori term for treasure, including valued possessions, natural resources, language and cultural knowledge. Article Two of the Treaty promises protection of taonga, which features in claims about culture and environment.

The Māori concept of guardianship and care for the environment, passed down through generations. It underpins Māori relationships with land, water and resources and appears in environmental law.

Māori genealogy and the linking of people to ancestors, land and the natural world. It establishes identity, rights and relationships and is central to Māori knowledge systems.

Māori carving, in wood, stone or bone, used on meeting houses and other objects. Its patterns record ancestors, stories and tribal identity.

A national public holiday on 6 February marking the 1840 signing of the Treaty. It is observed with events at Waitangi and communities around the country.

A movement begun in 1858 with the crowning of Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, aimed at uniting Māori and protecting land and authority. Its leaders are known as the Kīngi or Queen, and the movement is called Kīngitanga.

Armed conflicts between the Crown and Māori groups, mainly in the 1840s and 1860s, over land, sovereignty and law. Their consequences include land confiscation and ongoing Treaty claims.

The 1835 Declaration of Independence signed by northern Māori chiefs, asserting their authority and independence. Britain recognised it, and it is part of Treaty discussions.

The right to vote in elections. New Zealand became the first self-governing country to give women the vote, in 1893, after a campaign led by Kate Sheppard.

Mixed Member Proportional representation, New Zealand's voting system since 1996. Voters cast an electorate vote and a party vote, and party seats are allocated to reflect the share of party votes.

A geographic voting area that elects one member of Parliament, or the voters within it. New Zealand has general and Māori electorates, and boundaries are reviewed regularly.

The national vote held about every three years to choose members of Parliament and, in practice, the government. Voting is by secret ballot and enrolment is compulsory for eligible adults.

The elected single chamber of New Zealand's Parliament, usually of about 120 members. It debates and passes laws and holds the government to account.

The leader of the government and head of the executive, normally the leader of the party able to command a majority in Parliament. The governor-general formally appoints the prime minister.

The group of senior ministers led by the prime minister that decides major government policy. Ministers are members of Parliament chosen from the governing party or coalition.

The Crown's representative in New Zealand, appointed on the prime minister's advice. The role is largely ceremonial but includes signing legislation and opening Parliament.

A law listing civil and political rights such as freedom of expression, religion and peaceful assembly. Courts must interpret other laws consistently with it, but Parliament can still legislate contrary to it.

A law that prohibits discrimination on grounds such as sex, race, age, disability and religion in areas including employment and housing. The Human Rights Commission handles complaints.

The principle that everyone, including the government, is subject to the law and that laws are applied fairly and openly. It underpins New Zealand's legal system and courts.

The right to hold and share opinions and information without unjustified government restriction. It is protected by the Bill of Rights Act and limited by laws such as those against hate speech and defamation.

The main law governing use of land, air and water, now largely replaced by the Natural and Built Environment Act framework. It requires consideration of environmental effects and, in some cases, Māori values.

Protecting and managing natural and historic places and native species for present and future generations. The Department of Conservation manages national parks, reserves and many protected areas.

A large protected area of natural or cultural importance, managed for conservation and public enjoyment. New Zealand's first, Tongariro, was established in 1887, and there are now many others.

The mountain range running the length of the South Island, including Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak. It shapes the country's climate, rivers and tourism.

The more populous of New Zealand's two main islands, containing Auckland, Wellington and the volcanic plateau. Its climate is generally warmer and its landscape includes volcanoes, hills and coastal plains.

New Zealand's largest city, located in the North Island on an isthmus between two harbours. It is the country's main economic and population centre and has a large, diverse population.

The capital city, at the southern end of the North Island. It is the seat of Parliament and the government, and its harbour and hills make it a cultural and administrative centre.

The largest city in the South Island, on the Canterbury Plains. It was badly damaged by earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 and has since rebuilt its central city.

The English version of the 1840 agreement, in which Māori cede sovereignty to the Crown in return for protection and rights. Differences from the Māori text are central to Treaty interpretation.

A day set by law when most businesses close and many workers are paid. New Zealand's holidays include Waitangi Day, Anzac Day, Matariki and Christmas.

The Māori name for the Pleiades star cluster and the mid-winter period marking the Māori new year. It became a public holiday in 2022 and is a time for remembrance, celebration and planning.

A public holiday on 25 April commemorating New Zealanders and Australians who served and died in war. It recalls the 1915 Gallipoli landing and is marked by dawn services.

The legal status of belonging to a country, carrying rights such as voting and a passport and duties such as obeying the law. New Zealand allows dual citizenship in many cases.