Teenagers are about to be tested on their knowledge of the Treaty of Waitangi, Treaty settlements, Maori seats in Parliament and te reo.
A researcher is to survey Year 12 students on the subjects, as part of a study that aims to understand what the national identity is.
The work's being done by a team that includes Veronica Tawhai, a policy lecturer at Te Putahi a Toi, the School of Maori Studies at Massey University.
She says the rise in the use of te reo in schools is expected to have a significant impact on students' sense of identity.
The survey is being offered online and will run for the rest of September.
The results of the research will be sent to schools and government departments such as Te Puni Kokiri and the ministries of Youth Affairs, Education, Health.
