NZ First leader Winston Peters has complained that passport fees are “exorbitant” and out of step with other countries.
In April, Peters said New Zealand passports were about the same price as those in the UK and Ireland but only valid for half as long.
Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain said lower fees were introduced as the Government moved to enable online passport applications.
The previous fee for a standard adult passport, set at $153.30, was set at a level to recover the cost. However, since a switch to five-year passports ‘‘a growing surplus’’ had built up from fees revenue.
‘‘The change to a five-year passport has increased the volume of renewals, and a growing surplus has built up in the account, meaning there was scope to reduce fees,’’ Tremain said.