Hibiscus Coast travellers are being urged to check their passport expiry dates before summer plans lock in.

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says a surge in renewals is expected next year, as the first wave of 10-year passports reaches the end of its term.

Passport validity changed from five to 10 years in November 2015, which means many passports renewed in 2015 and 2016 will be nearing expiry.

“The Department of Internal Affairs is forecasting a surge in applications due to the anniversary of the ten-year passports. I encourage you all to ensure yours is up to date before you will need it,” Ms van Velden says.

The Department anticipates:

• Over 1.3 million passports expiring in the next two years
• In 2026, around 622,000 applications expected
• In 2027, 759,000 passports set to expire

Ms van Velden says processing times have improved sharply, dropping from 25 days in 2023 to three days for all passport applications, not only urgent ones.

“If your passport expires in 2026, renew now before the rush. Don’t let an expired passport get in the way of your travel,” she says.

Most people can renew online at passport.govt.nz.

In related travel news, Air New Zealand cabin crew have called off their planned Christmas strike after reaching an “agreement in principle” with the company.

More than 400 staff will no longer be striking, after the airline estimated action across all of its fleets could affect 10,000 to 15,000 customers.

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