It looks like Chris won't budge on 5 year validity, but the important point to remember is Chris won't always be the Minister of Internal Affairs. As we pointed out in our letter to him last week We Believe that ten year passport validity must be explored via public consultation, just like the Canadian Government, who consulted extensively with their public on passport validity. In July this year Canada will be increasing their passport validity, from five years to a ten-year biometric passport. The New Zealand Government should do the honourable thing and consult the public on this matter.
Email exchange follows:
From: Tony Maxwell
To: [email protected]
Subject: New Zealand Passport Validity
Can you please just admit that the reduction of the validity of the New Zealand Passport was just a revenue gathering exercise which has been embarrassingly successful for Internal Affairs and the Government?
Let common sense prevail and revert the validity for adult passports back to 10 years at the current cost.
I've been a National supporter for 50 years but the last two Governments have really got me annoyed with petty little, penny pinching policies that do you no credit.
There was a precedent set today with the reversal of the decision to charge FBT on some business car parks. The Government would get a few more kudos (and a few less disaffected voters) if it did the same thing with Passport validity.
Regards
Tony Maxwell
Hon. Chris Tremain wrote:
Tony,
Thanks for your email.
Just a couple of facts to get the record straight:
1. Revenue from passports goes into a memorandum account, not into the general taxation pool. The revenue is solely for passports, nothing else. It is not a revenue gathering exercise.
2. Some countries subsidise the cost of passports. We do not – it is a totally stand-alone sustainable model.
3. The revenue from adult passports subsidises childrens passports to the tune of 50% (approx).
4. We recently reduced the cost of a renewed passport by 20% approx to $124.50 for 5 years or $24.90 annualised.
5. This reduction in cost means we are subsidising the cost of a renewed passport so that we can reduce the current surplus in the memorandum account over a five year period. This means that all people who paid a higher price will benefit from the lower price over a five year cycle. I think this is the fairest way to reduce the surplus.
6. We recently introduced a world first on-line passport renewal scheme which turns around new passports in three working days (on average as we speak). We have had over 30,000 successful renewals on line and many happy customers.
7. The Australian passport is 10 years but costs $300 NZ equivalent of $30 per annum annualised - $5.10 per annum more than the annualised cost of a New Zealand passport.
8. The New Zealand passport is world leading in technology meaning we can stay ahead of security risks updating our passport stocks in a 5 year cycle as opposed to a 10 year cycle and we do this for cheaper than the Aussies. Sure some other countries provide a cheaper 10 year passport on an annualised basis. But lets for a minute say that we did decide to do a 10 year passport for say $200 NZ annualised at $20 per annum. This would give you a saving of $4.50 per annum ( a couple of quid), the cost of a latte. Would you prefer to trade off this saving for a less secure passport which would be updated on a 10 year cycle.
9. Lastly our passport provides you Visa free access to many countries around the world. In fact we have one of the most accessible passports around. This significantly reduces the bureaucracy (time to get a Visa) and cost for you travelling to many nations around the world.
I personally think we have a great deal, a highly secure passport, at relatively low cost, with exceptional on-line renewal service. I am not prepared to trade off the small financial saving we might get from a 10 year passport for the drop in security.
Kind regards,
Chris Tremain
From: Tony Maxwell
To: Hon. Chris Tremain
Subject: Re: New Zealand Passport Validity
Hi Chris
I really appreciate the prompt response, thanks.
I have no argument with the points (1 to 9) you have made. I disagree on your last paragraph. If countries like Canada (who have just increased the validity of their passports from 5 to 10 years), Australia, the UK and the US can all have 10 year passports that satisfy their security arrangements, why can't we?
OK, I'll bend on the cost issue. I know the latest Passports have some advanced security features that the earlier ones didn't so I'm prepared to pay a bit more. But the real problem is the lack of a 10 year option. I have dual Irish/New Zealand Nationality and have just renewed my Irish passport (with new security technology) for another 10 years for NZD160. I'd be happy to pay the same for a New Zealand 10 year passport.
Chris, you're fighting an up hill battle trying to justify the 5 year passport. The internet age of information allows us access to so much comparative information that you can no longer pull the wool over our eyes.
Come on, bite the bullet and accept the previous decision was wrong and do the right thing - 10 years validity
Regards
Tony
Hon. Chris Tremain wrote:
Tony,
Your Irish passport chip is likely to have a security guarantee of 3 to 4 years. It will be likely redundant before that. I thought a modern international traveller like you would be looking to stay ahead of the curve not go backwards to a 10 year passport. That’s why we’ve introduced a low cost passport with significantly enhanced renewal features to reduce the difficulty of renewing.
And given we are currently charging below cost, unless you know something I don’t, we won’t be changing. Happy that you OIA the recent Cabinet paper on this so that you can be sure I’m not “pulling the wool over your eyes”.
No bullets being bitten here.
Cheers
Chris
Subject: Re: New Zealand Passport Validity
From: Tony Maxwell To: Hon. Chris Tremain
Hi Chris
So, if the chip in my Irish passport only has a security guarantee for 3 to 4 years does that invalidate the passport after that time? Or do I have to get visas to some countries after 3 or 4 years despite the passport being for 10 years? I think not.
I can see you are not going to budge in spite of the reasoned arguments against your decision. So I won't personally take up any more of your valuable time.
I will however, work with the many other people who share my views to get the Government, if not you, to change their minds.
Regards
Tony
Thank you Tony for sending us these emails. Please feel free to email us your email exchanges with MPs, which can be published here.
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