Our letter reads:
nzten.com
[email protected]
31.03.2013
Hon. Chris Tremain
MP for Napier
Minister of Internal Affairs
PO Box 534
Napier 4140
NEW ZEALAND
[email protected]
Dear Sir
I am the spokesperson for nzten.com, a group of New Zealand citizens advocating for the return of ten-year New Zealand passports.
As you are aware, most of New Zealand’s trading partners, including Australia, the United States of America, China, the United Kingdom, and most Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations throughout the world, issue their citizens with ten-year passports, why can’t New Zealand do the same?
I attach an interim 139 page .pdf document, containing the names of over 4400 New Zealanders, who would like to see ten-year passports reinstated.
Chris, we believe you need to do the honourable thing, and consult with the New Zealand public on this matter, as the Canadian government has done with their public. We note that the outcome of the Canadian Government’s extensive public consultation, was introducing ten-year passports to their citizens.
By introducing ten-year passports, Canada will join four other nations, of the Five Nations Passport Group, consisting of Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, who issue citizens with ten-year passports. New Zealand is the last remaining country in this group, to deny its citizens the option of a ten-year passport.
Our group has expressed frustration, regarding the short five year term of a New Zealand passport, it is especially frustrating, and expensive, for those living abroad where residency visas must be updated every five years. It is also expensive for families to keep updating their passports every five years. We have found that many dual citizens, have given up renewing their New Zealand passports because of the short five-year validity term.
Chris we will keep on collecting signatures on our petition until you, or your successors, consult with the New Zealand public on this important matter. Let the New Zealand public decide.
Yours faithfully
Kyle Lockwood
Spokesperson
nzten.com.