12. JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) Link to this
to the Minister of Internal Affairs
Why is the Government introducing a new style of passport?
Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister of Internal Affairs) Link to this
We need to regularly update our passport, to keep up with new technology and keep ahead of fraudsters. This new passport has more than 50 new security features, which makes it harder to forge. It also has a new design and artwork that tells the story of New Zealand’s history, through the themes of navigation and travel.
I am very pleased with the feedback we have had on this new passport. People seem to like the new design, which now has a unique New Zealand flavour about it. Every page has different artwork on it, which makes it harder to forge. Indeed, I am very pleased that we have managed to keep the price of the new passport the same, at $150.