NZ TEN YEAR PASSPORTS
Media Release
Today Peter Dunne, Minister of Internal Affairs has announced that there will be an independent review of passport security and a review of passport costs with a view to returning to 10-year passports.
These reviews are part of the Government’s response to the Government Administration Committee’s report on the Petition of Kyle Lockwood to reintroduce a 10-year passport validity.
“The Government agrees with the Committee’s view that moving to biometric passports has increased their security. While attempts to counterfeit and/or falsify passports, including biometric passports continue, advances in technology are continuing to diminish that risk. It is therefore timely to investigate whether security features in the passport need to be refreshed every five years as opposed to a 10-year interval,” says Mr Dunne
Kyle Lockwood, spokesman for New Zealand Ten Year Passports believes this is a positive move for the re-instatement of ten-year passports to New Zealand citizens.
"We see this review as a positive step in the right direction, however if the minister is open to reinstating 10-year Passports why can't the minister just introduce ten-year passports as soon as possible?"
The minister also said that passport costs could increase.
"I don't think passport costs should increase, in 2005 when 5 year passports were introduced, the price was doubled, and the validity halved, effectively a 400% cost increase, so with this in mind passport costs should not go up" said Mr Lockwood.
The review is expected to be completed by December 2014.
ENDS
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NZ Ten Year Passports
Our Aim
Reinstate ten-year passports to New Zealand Citizens
For more visit www.nzten.com
http://m.tvnz.co.nz/news/video/top_stories/6053676/?videoId=ref:6053923
Peter Dunne interview
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbnat/1859355660-ten-year-passports-to-be-brought-back-
Stuff Report
http://i.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/10374600/10-year-NZ-passports-could-return-at-a-cost
TVNZ report
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/passport-validity-periods-may-return-10-years-6053676
Newstalk ZB
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbnat/1859355660-ten-year-passports-to-be-brought-back-
NZ Herald
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11264147