Is your New Zealand passport expiring soon? You might want to consider starting the renewal process early, ahead of a predicted surge in applications next year.
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden is advising people to check their passport expiry dates this summer, as the Department of Internal Affairs anticipates more than 1.3 million passports will expire over the next two years.
“The Department of Internal Affairs [Department] is forecasting a surge in applications due to the anniversary of the ten-year passports. I encourage you all to ensure yours is up to date before you will need it,” van Velden said.
Passports issued in November 2015 marked the shift from a five-year to a ten-year validity period. Those who renewed in 2015 and 2016 are now approaching expiry. The Department expects around 622,000 applications in 2026, followed by 759,000 in 2027.
“So, if your passport needs renewing soon, so will 622,000 others,” van Velden said.
She highlighted improvements in service delivery, noting that processing times have been reduced from 25 days in 2023 to just three days for all applications, not only urgent ones.
“New Zealanders rightly expect excellent service, and I'm proud that our passport team has delivered exactly that. This represents a great improvement in service delivery that will benefit every New Zealand family planning to travel overseas. If your passport expires in 2026, renew now before the rush. Don’t let an expired passport get in the way of your travel,” she added.
Most passport renewals can be completed quickly and securely online at passport.govt.nz
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