Many services will need you to have some way of proving you are who you say you are.
This can be really hard if you don’t have a drivers license or passport. It’s not great walking around with your birth certificate everywhere and some places require two forms of identification (ID) or photo ID.
The Kiwi Access Card.
The Kiwi Access Card is managed by Hospitality New Zealand and you can get this ID without a passport or drivers license.
It used to be called ‘The 18+ Card’ but they realised that there were heaps of people in Aotearoa who would find it useful for a whole lot of reasons. So now you can head to a NZ Post shop or AA Centre to pick up a physical form, or download one off their website.
To apply
All you need to apply is someone who can prove you are over 18 and some other form
of identification, like your birth certificate, a Refugee Travel Document or a Certificate of Identity (see below).
Plus, to make sure your card gets to you and looks right, don’t forget to bring:
- Two (2) identical recent passport sized colour photos of yourself.
- Proof of the address you want your card delivered to.
You need someone who can prove you are over 18 and some other form
of identification, like your birth certificate, a Refugee Travel Document or a Certificate of Identity (see below).
This card costs $60
Application forms can be found at kiwiaccess.co.nz/ (external link)
Applying for a New Zealand passport
Anyone who is a New Zealand citizen can apply for a New Zealand passport. This means you were either born here or have gone through the process of becoming a citizen.
Know your info
To get a passport for the first time, you need some information about who you are and what you look like. This includes your names, birthday, where you were born and your gender. You’ll also need to know how tall you are in centimetres, your eye colour and your parents full names (these will be on your birth certificate).
The sign up process
During the process you’ll need to sign up to make a RealMe account (if you don’t have one already these are super useful for things like tax and applying for things with other Government agencies).
You’ll need to load a photo of yourself into your application, the online application form will take you through how to take a good photo. When you visit another country or need to prove you are who you say you are, the person checking your passport will use this photo to compare with what you look like.
Someone to support your application
To apply you also need what they call ‘an identity referee’. This is an adult who already has a New Zealand passport and can be contacted by the passport processing people. They’ll confirm for the passport people that you are who you say you are. They can’t be someone who lives with you or is related to you so they could be a friend, a teacher or a support person. You’ll need to talk to them before you make your application so you can enter their passport details and contact information in your application.
A standard passport currently costs $215 for an adult and $125 for kids.
Start your New Zealand Passport Application here. (external link)
Applying for your New Zealand Drivers License
There are three stages to getting a license; Learners, Restricted and Full.
To get your Learners ID, all you need to do is pass a road code theory test. You’ll need to be over 16 years old, have proof of your ID, pass the eye test and pay $96.10 application fee. From there to actually drive on the road, you’ll need someone with their Full license to be with you.
As we mentioned, getting a drivers license or going between each of the levels, can be hard for our disabled community. Things aren’t always laid out in the easiest way to navigate. Fortunately there are a whole lot of organisations and people in New Zealand ready to support you and make it a bit easier.
Check out our guide to getting your car license
Applying for a Certificate of Identity
These can be issued by New Zealand Passports if you’re not a New Zealand citizen and you can’t get a passport from another country.
To get this certificate, you’ll need personal information about yourself to the passport application. This include photos of yourself and an identity referee (someone over 16 with a New Zealand Passport). You’ll also need any travel documents like tickets and things you had when you came into New Zealand.
This certificate and delivery of it costs $130
Certificate of identity or refugee travel document | New Zealand Passports (external link)
Applying for a copy of your Birth Certificate
You can apply for a copy of your New Zealand Birth Certificate online. You’ll just need details about who you are and when you were born. Anything you know about your place of birth or parents details will make it easier for them to find you and send your certificate out.
Applying for a standard copy of your birth certificate costs $33.
Order your birth certificate online (external link)
Applying for a Certificate of New Zealand Citizenship
If you can’t find your citizenship certificate, you can apply for a replacement one online. Like the other forms of ID, you’ll need to have an identity referee and photos.
You can check if you’re a New Zealand Citizen online here. (external link)
Applying for a New Zealand Citizenship replacement certificate costs $112.40.
Apply for proof you’re a New Zealand citizen here (external link)
Last updated on Wednesday, 8 January 2025