JLPT July 2026 New Zealand
Test sites, fees, how to register, and what's changed for 2026, including the new Palmerston North venue replacing Wellington.
Palmerston North applications close 31 March. Auckland applications close 27 March (5pm).
Wellington is no longer a JLPT test site. The test has moved to Palmerston North, hosted by IPU New Zealand.
If you've taken the JLPT in Wellington before, at Massey University's Mt Cook campus, that venue is done. The lower North Island site is now IPU New Zealand's campus in Fitzherbert, Palmerston North. IPU is part of the Soshi Gakuen educational group, which also runs International Pacific University in Okayama, Japan, and offers Japanese Studies as one of its main degree programmes. It's a natural fit as a JLPT host.
Two rule changes also apply globally from July 2026:
| City | N1 | N2 | N3 | N4 | N5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | |||||
| Palmerston North | |||||
|
Christchurch (December only) |
All levels (N1 to N5) are available at every site. Christchurch does not offer a July sitting.
Auckland: University of Auckland. Hosted by the Consulate-General of Japan.
Palmerston North: IPU New Zealand, 57 Aokautere Drive, Fitzherbert, Palmerston North 4410. Hosted by IPU New Zealand. This is a campus in the Fitzherbert area, not central Palmerston North.
Christchurch: Ara Institute of Canterbury. Hosted by the Consular Office of Japan. December only.
| Level | Fee (NZD) |
|---|---|
| N1 | $110 |
| N2 | $110 |
| N3 | $95 |
| N4 | $95 |
| N5 | $95 |
Confirmed 2026 fees from Palmerston North (IPU New Zealand). Auckland has flagged a change in test fees from 2026 but has not published specific amounts. Fees are non-refundable.
Payment: Bank transfer. Account details are provided on the application form and by each host institution.
Registration is paper-based at both sites. The process is the same: download a PDF form, print it, attach passport photos, pay by bank transfer, and submit by post or in person. This is a summary. Check the official organiser's website for the complete and correct details.
Auckland (Registration Open Now)
Organiser: Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland
Application period: Monday 2 March to 5pm, Friday 27 March 2026
Download the application form from the consulate website. Type into the PDF using Adobe Acrobat Reader (first page auto-fills the rest). Print single-sided on A4, sign by hand, and attach two identical passport photos to the voucher pages. Pay by bank transfer (details on the consulate website). Submit in person or by post with a stamped ($4.90) self-addressed A4 envelope.
Post to: Consulate-General of Japan, Level 15, 41 Shortland Street, P.O. Box 3959, Auckland 1140
Palmerston North (Registration Open Now)
Organiser: IPU New Zealand
Application period: Monday 3 March to Monday 31 March 2026
Download the application form from the Embassy of Japan website or IPU. Type into the PDF using Adobe Acrobat Reader (first page auto-fills the rest). Print single-sided on A4, sign by hand, and attach two identical passport photos (3 to 4cm tall, 3cm wide, taken within the past 6 months) to the voucher pages. Pay by bank transfer (details on the application form). Submit in person at IPU (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or by post with a postage-paid self-addressed envelope.
Post to: IPU New Zealand, 57 Aokautere Drive, Fitzherbert, Palmerston North 4410
Bring your test voucher (you'll receive this after registration), photo ID, and HB or No.2 pencils with a plastic eraser. An analogue watch is useful since you won't have access to your phone.
Your phone and any electronic devices will be collected at the start of the day and returned after the final section. You won't be able to access them during breaks between sections. Bring whatever you need for the day (snacks, water, any medication) knowing your phone will be out of reach until the test is over.
Online: Available by late August 2026 on the official JLPT website. You'll need your registration number and the 8-digit passcode you chose on your application form. Keep your copy of the form safe.
Certificates: Score reports and certificates (for those who pass) are mailed through your host institution by early October 2026.
Score reports from December 2025 onwards include a CEFR level reference showing where your total score sits on the Common European Framework. This is for reference only and doesn't affect pass/fail.
Auckland: Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland
Palmerston North: IPU New Zealand
Christchurch (December only): Consular Office of Japan in Christchurch
General NZ JLPT info: Embassy of Japan in New Zealand
Official JLPT worldwide: jlpt.jp
Taking the JLPT in Australia? See our JLPT July 2026 Australia guide for registration details, test cities, and fees.
