New Zealand Passports
Only New Zealand nationals are entitled to have New Zealand passports for the purpose of international travel. Other residents and refugees of New Zealand unable to be issued passports by their home countries may apply only for other travel documents other than passports. The agency responsible for issuing, extending and renewing New Zealand passports is the Department of Internal Affairs, not the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
A Henley and Partners study gave New Zealand a Henley Visa restrictions Index of 125. This means that New Zealand nationals may visit 125 countries and territories visa-free provided that the purpose of the visit is short-term and tourism-related. When it comes to international travel freedom, New Zealand ranks sixth.
New Zealand passports are valid until the expiry date indicated in the passport, usually a maximum of five years from the issuance date.
Types Available
There are three major types of passports that are being issued by the Department of Internal Affairs. Choose the one appropriate for you depending on your purpose or position.
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Regular passport. It is issued to ordinary New Zealand citizens who wish to travel outside the country for business trips, vacations and other tourism-related purposes.
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Diplomatic passport. This type of passport is issued to ambassadors, foreign service officers, diplomatic couriers and other members of the diplomatic corps. This is also the type for representatives of international organizations such as the United Nations. It is also issued to top ranking government officials.
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Official passport. Official passports are issued to New Zealand nationals who are representing the government of New Zealand. This is used only on official business.
The Governor General of New Zealand is required to obtain a diplomatic or official passport. Only the Queen of New Zealand (Queen Elizabeth II) is not required to use one because New Zealand passports are issued and used in her name.
Where to apply
The Department of Internal Affairs issues New Zealand passports through its designated offices in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. If you’re a New Zealand national residing overseas, you can apply at any of its offices in Sydney and London. New Zealand high commissions, consulates and embassies outside of London and Sydney cannot issue passports. Other New Zealand diplomatic offices across the globe may only provide copies of passport application forms. If, unfortunately, you live outside of Australia or the United Kingdom, you may ask the office to assist you in communicating with an issuing office to facilitate your application.
If you are living outside New Zealand, Australia or the United Kingdom and you really need a New Zealand passport for emergency purposes, you may only be issued an “emergency travel document.” This document is issued by diplomatic posts and has a validity of only one year. This is especially helpful to New Zealand nationals who do not have enough time to obtain a passport.
How to apply
The best way to be aware of the requirements and be oriented with the passport application process of New Zealand is to contact the Department of Internal Affairs or any New Zealand embassy, consulate or high commission. They will provide you with detailed guide and other travel-related information. Meanwhile, here are the documents that you are most likely to produce.
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an original copy of your birth certificate
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proof of citizenship
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other certificates of identity
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passport-style photographs
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application processing fee
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a completed application form
You may obtain the application form from any of the passport offices in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington in New Zealand. If you’re living abroad, you may get a copy from the passport offices in London or Sydney. Fill out the form fully, legibly and accurately. Write in capital letters. Use black ink only. Any misrepresentation or suppression of the facts may lead to denial of passport. Incomplete and incorrect applications will not be processed.
Application processing fees vary according to the type of passport, the number of pages and if you are applying for a fresh passport or a duplicate one. Contact the Internal Affairs Department for more details. In the case of the London and Sydney offices issuing passports, fees may vary as it may be fixed in British pound or Australian dollar.
If you have previously owned a passport, you may also be required to submit your old passport.
Note that you need your passport for travel to ANY country, even Australia (For more information regarding Australia, read The Guide to Australia). There is no way you can get out of the country without your New Zealand passport (unless you’re the Queen). Thus, if you plan to travel but your passport will expire in less than a year, it is best to renew it. Most countries require passports to be valid for at least six months after the date of entry. You also need to make sure that there is at least one blank visa page in your passport.
Additional Information
If your passport has been damaged, lost or stolen, it is best that you report to the police and advise the New Zealand Passport Office as soon as possible. If you need a replacement passport, obtain a replacement application form. Accomplish the form as well as the Declaration of Loss, Theft or Damage that usually comes with the form. Note that at its discretion, the passport office may issue a replacement passport with a validity period of less than the full validity period of your lost or damaged passport.
Remember that the loss or theft of a New Zealand passport or any travel document for that matter is a serious concern. There may be some delay because thorough inquiries may be made before a replacement may be issues.
If your New Zealand passport is damaged, lost or stolen while traveling or staying abroad, report to the local police and inform the New Zealand embassy, consulate or high commission nearest you. After getting your passport, its time to learn how to travel cheaply.
December 21st, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I am a New Zealand citizen with resident status in Australia.
I currently reside in Melbourne.
My Passport has expired so I would appreciate advice how it can be renewed in Australia
December 24th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I wish to renew my New Zealand passport which has expired.How do I go about it and how much will it cost.
Thank you,
Gary Bernstone
December 28th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I am a New Zealand citizen with resident statis in Australia I currently reside in Robina Gold Coast Queensland.
My passport has expired and I would like to renew it please advice me of all proceedures and requirements.
Regards D.W. McMillan
December 28th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
My baby brother wants to come to Australia to work but was convicted of a drug offence about 13 to 15 years ago. Is he able to still apply for a New Zealand passport?
January 12th, 2009 at 5:50 am
I am a New Zealand citizen with resident status in Australia.
I currently reside in Melbourne.
My Passport has expired so I would appreciate advice how it can be renewed in Australia
I am travelling to New Zealand on the 4th February
January 21st, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Lost my New Zealand passport living in Canada ,Vancouver, B.C and need to get a new . How and who do I contact who to get a new one ? Thanks
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:13 pm
could you please help me please im wondering if i could apply for a newzealand passport i was born in wellington in 1969 my father whom i havent seen since childhood is a citizen my parents split up when i was young my mother brought me back to her place of birth glasgow scotland
many thanx lynn
February 1st, 2009 at 5:19 pm
hi there my name is michelle and i was born in new zealand, i come to australia in 1976 when i was 3 and a half. I need to go to new zealand 22nd of febuary in relation to land and my mother would like me to come to court with her because she would like me to have some land. I was going to stay for 1 week and i really need some advice on how to go about it i do not have a passport and need one quickly. Also I only have a photo copy of my birth certificate and i beleive I need original pleases help help help me. TA
February 1st, 2009 at 5:52 pm
I want to renew my NZ passport, for a visit to NZ in Nov/Dec, 2009. Please send me the forms and requirements
thank you
SWT
February 15th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
To Whom It May Concern
In Oct/Nov 2006 my car was stolen, inside the car was my nz passposrt & original birth certificate. I want return back home before March 2009. My family in NZ & US are trying to help me out. I need information what steps need to be taken.
March 1st, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I am a New Zealand citizen with resident status in Australia.(and an Australian citizen)
I currently reside in Melbourne.
My Passport has expired so I would appreciate advice how it can be renewed in Australia
I have a flight booked to Auckland for Friday 13 March 2009 (in less than 2 weeks).
Would it be quicker to get an Australian passport or an NZ passport renewed?
Thank you. Beverly
March 5th, 2009 at 6:53 am
I am a NZ citizen. If I apply and receive US citizenship am I able to have dual citizenship? Thank you
March 10th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I am a New Zealand citizen with resident status in Australia.
I currently reside in Melbourne.
My Passport has expired so I would appreciate advice how it can be renewed in Australia
March 29th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Could Ihave 2 renewal passport forms for my daughter please that expired about a year and so ago please.
Please advise further details to have forms sent to my home address 9 May Street, MERRYLANDS NSW 2160, Sydney, Australia,
thanks
April 1st, 2009 at 2:18 am
I am a New Zealand citizen, residing in Sydney Australia. My passport has expired and would like to renew it.
What do I need to do and where?
please email asap.
Paul Passi
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:35 pm
I am a New Zealand citizen with resident status in Australia. I currently reside in Toowoomba and need to renew my New Zealand passport as it expired in Feb 09.
I need to go to New Zealand on 12th May 2009, please advise me of what procedures and cost to renew my
passport. Thank you.
Regards Tracey Crawford
April 11th, 2009 at 2:24 am
I am a New Zealand citizen with resident status in Australia, I reside in Melbourne. My passport has expired and i would like to renew it, am I able to down load the required paperwork. Kind regards John McFarlane. 11/04/09
April 14th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
i am a New Zealand citizen with resident status in United States of America (USA).
I currently reside in Lexington,Virginia.
My Passport has expired in Jan, 2009 so I would appreciate advice how it can be renewed in USA
April 16th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
I am a New Zealand citizen with resident status in Australia.
I currently reside in Melbourne.
My Passport has expired so I would appreciate advice how it can be renewed in Australia
July 26th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
I need to renew my current New Zealand Passport. Please advise me how to do it as I reside in Australia
Thanks
August 11th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
I am a New Zealand citizen with resident status in American Samoa.
I currently reside in American Samoa.
My Passport has expired so I would appreciate advice how it can be renewed from American Samoa
December 13th, 2009 at 2:30 am
To all those seeking to renew their New Zealand passport while overseas, head on over to (The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs). All the information you need is there, including links to application forms and fees. You can send the application along with photos and the fee to the Sydney office.
The only problem I could find was the application process itself, as a witness is required. Such a witness is required to be a New Zealand passport holder, have known you for over a year and have one of the professions listed on the back (judge, lawyer, optometrist, nurse, etc, I’ve forgotten what they’re called). Also, they cannot be related to you nor live in the same house. I’ve had trouble with this and the only thing I can suggest is calling the nearest New Zealand Embassy.
December 13th, 2009 at 2:37 am
In response to all of those with expired New Zealand passports in Australia, head on over to The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs website (link below). All of the information you need to renew your passport is listed there, along with application forms and fees (in both Australian and New Zealand currencies). There is also information there for those living in other countries who want to renew a New Zealand passport.
The only problem I have found with the renewal is the witness for the application. This person needs to be a New Zealand passport holder, have known you for over a year, not be a relation or living at the same current address as you and must also be a registered professional (e.g. judge, lawyer, optometrist, nurse, etc). I have not found any luck with a solution so far, so the best advice I can give is to ring your local New Zealand Embassy and ask them.
The links needed are provided below:
The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs:
Homepage: http://www.dia.govt.nz/
Passport application and renewal: http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_url/services-passports-how-to-apply-for-a-new-zealand-passport?opendocument#eight
Application forms and fees: http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Passports-Application-Forms-and-Fees?OpenDocument#two