We would like to see a return to 10 year NZ Adult passport validity enjoyed by most of our trading partners, including Australia, the USA, and the UK.
Some people have expressed concern that 5 year passports are required for security and ease of travel to places such as the USA. In fact New Zealanders are still able to cross the US border on their 10 year Non-Electronic-Chipped Passports which were issued before the change to 5 year passports in 2005. This is a non-issue, besides US Passports are actually valid for 10 years.
By law, the Department of Internal Affairs is not allowed to make a profit on the issuance of NZ Passports, however, they clearly did make a surplus and that is why fees were reduced late last year, down from $153.50 to $124.50, a saving of $29, but only if you renew in New Zealand, online. Overseas renewals are more expensive.
VALIDITY CONFUSION
In reading some of the comments posted on our Facebook page, there seems to be a lot of confusion regarding passport validity, particularly with the validity periods enjoyed by our major trading partners.
Here is a list of some of those countries, with adult passport validity shown, and an official link to their passport issuing body. We have included this list because many New Zealanders are also dual citizens of the countries shown below, with apologies in advance if your country is not listed.
Remember to share us with all your Kiwi friends and family!
AUSTRALIA - 10 YEARS.
An ordinary Australian adult passport is valid for a period of 10 years. A child’s or senior’s passport is valid for five years and costs less. https://www.passports.gov.au/web/passportvalidity.aspx
UNITED KINGDOM - 10 YEARS
Validity; Adults, normally 10 years up to a maximum of 10 years 9 months. Children, normally 5 years up to a maximum of 5 years 9 months. (Warning the link below takes a long time to load) http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/agencies-public-bodies/CRB/crb-application-form-guidance/crb-application-guidance/basic-passport-check?view=Binary
UNITED STATES - 10 YEARS
If you were over age 16 when your passport was issued, your passport is valid for 10 years. If you were age 15 or younger when your passport was issued, your passport is valid for 5 years.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/faq/faq_1741.html
CHINA - 10 YEARS
Since 2007, it is valid for 10 years for bearers above 16 years of age, and for 5 years for bearers below 16 years of age.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People's_Republic_of_China_passport
http://www.chinaembassy.org.nz/eng/lsqz/prcd/
FRANCE - 10 YEARS
Passports are valid for 10 years for applicants aged 18 or over and 5 years for applicants under the age of 18.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_passport
http://www.ambafrance-nz.org/-English-
NETHERLANDS - 5 YEARS
Dutch passports are valid for a period of five years from issuing date.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands_passport
http://newzealand.nlembassy.org/
SOUTH AFRICA - 10 YEARS
Passports are issued to citizens who are 16 years of age or older, and are intended for occasional travel, such as vacations and business trips. They contain 32 pages, and are valid for 10 years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_passporthttp://www.sahc.org.au/passports.htm