10 Year Passports Looking Likely

13 OCTOBER 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Taxpayers’ Union understands that the Government is considering the reintroduction of ten year passports in changes to the Passports Act expected before the end of the year.

Executive Director of the Taxpayers’ Union, Jordan Williams, says, "New Zealand moved from 10-year to five-year passports in 2005 expecting other countries to follow suit. None did, and it looks like the Government is finally putting it right."

In February, the Taxpayers’ Union released a briefing paper on passport affordability, Sky High. The report shows that a New Zealanders pay more than citizens in all countries New Zealand normally compares itself to. A petition signed by 15,900 people was presented to the Government in August. Shortly afterwards the Government announced that the cost of passports would be reviewed, with a view to returning to 10-year passports.

"Now that New Zealand passports have the security technology, the shorter validity is a rort on taxpayers, not a security practice. We hope that as part of other changes to the Passports Act, the Government does the sensible thing and returns to a 10-year passport regime.”

ENDS

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