The Consulate of India in Auckland has invited applicants to visit their office for assistance on Saturday, 24th May 2025, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM — Only those who have not received their new passports more than 30 days after submitting a complete physical application, those awaiting their Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) for over 30 days after submission of complete physical application, and those who have not received their Surrender Certificate more than 90 days after submitting a complete physical application.
Such applicants can visit the Consulate at the 13th floor, 151 Queen Street, Auckland.
Those who cannot visit themselves can send a nominee.
“Applicants should come prepared to wait for some time for resolution of their query,” read a press statement issued by the Consulate.
“Our staff will assist in resolving your concerns at the earliest. Please bring all relevant information related to your application,” it added.
The Indian Consulate opened its gates on 5 September 2024 to assist the Indian community in New Zealand with consular services. The office is a new set-up and is still operating from a temporary location but is expected to shift to the 14th floor, 151 Queen Street, from 1st June.
“Since September, the Consulate has successfully delivered about 3,000 new passports, 3,600 Police Clearance Certificates, 1,100 Surrender Certificates, and 3,000 miscellaneous services applications,” it said.
However, it has been brought to its attention that applicants are seeking redressal for payments, Police Clearance Certificates, Surrender documents, and other services – with some complaints also sent to The Indian Weekender.
The Indian Weekender last week spoke with the newly appointed Consul General of India, Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi, who assured that the services will bounce back in full strength, along with Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and visa services, once the teething troubles are dealt with.
The Consulate of India has also taken into account the complaints and queries of Kiwi-Indians regarding payment issues and addressed them publicly.
“It has been observed that some applicants are complaining about the lack of prompt service and behaviour of the Consulate staff,” the press statement said.
“It is reiterated that while the Consulate is here to assist Indians and Indian-origin people for their requirements, it is unfortunate that more than forty percent of applications (received by courier) are incomplete not only for one document but sometimes more,” it added.
Not paying for the correct applications is another cause of confusion.
Payments for applications are being made to the High Commission of India in Wellington, while physical applications are being sent to the Consulate in Auckland, with applicants later requesting that the fees be adjusted against their submissions at the Auckland office.
“It is for all one’s information that both offices are independent entities for revenue receipts,” the press statement further clarified.
It requested applicants applying for renewal of passport must submit the correct application (a correct application will display the name and address of the Consulate on top of the first page), pay the applicable fee to the Consulate, and attach the payment receipt along with other required documents (as applicable in case of various applications).
The address provided by the applicants should be attached with correct proof.
To streamline the process further, the Consulate has issued the following:
In case of PCC, the following documents are required to be sent via courier:
- Coloured copy of first & last pages of current passport attested by Justice of the Peace
- Copy of current valid New Zealand visa
- One recently taken (within 6 months) passport-size photograph pasted on the application. Do not staple/pin the photograph
- Fee for PCC service is NZ $45 (Please attach transaction receipt of fee paid by bank transfer)
In case of Surrender Certificate, the following documents are required to be couriered to the Consulate:
- Completed and signed application form for surrender of Indian passport.
Please visit: https://embassy.passportindia.gov.in/ to complete online registration and print the duly filled application form. (In case of minors, both parents should sign on the last page/declaration of the form) - One latest photograph 51mm x 51mm or 2 x 2 inches (taken within the last 6 months) – must be pasted on the application form. No additional photo is required
- Original Indian passport
In case the Indian passport is lost:
- Photocopy of Indian passport
- Travel summary from Immigration New Zealand
- Lost passport police report/FIR copy with lost Indian passport number mentioned on it
- NZ / Foreign Citizenship Certificate copy
- Coloured photocopy of bio-pages of New Zealand/foreign passport duly attested by Justice of the Peace, Notary, or Deputy Registrar
- Name change certificate (if applicable) if the applicant’s name is different/changed on the foreign citizenship certificate or foreign passport from that of the Indian passport
- In case the applicant is a minor (under 18 years), both parents must provide copies of the bio page of their passports – attested by JP
- Self-addressed prepaid courier envelope to return your passport and documents after the completion of the process. Please keep a record of the tracking number
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