Passports/Visa's for NZ

[GasoLane]

I heard somewhere that after July this year (I think) that anyone travelling to EnZed will not need passports or visa's.

Can anyone confirm this?

[Yellow_Festiva]

I doubt it will be 'anyone', but yes, there was talk that soon you can travel between NZ and Aus with only a drivers licence for ID.

Hasn't happened as yet it seems:

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-c...ce/New_Zealand

Entry and Exit Requirements

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest High Commission or Consulate of New Zealand well in advance of travel, or consult the New Zealand Immigration Service for the most up to date information.

Australian citizens travelling on an Australian passport, or Australian residents who hold a current Australian resident return visa, do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand. However, Australians with criminal convictions or who have been deported from any country are advised to contact the nearest High Commission or Consulate of New Zealand well in advance of travel for advice on visa requirements.

New Zealand has strict quarantine regulations and instant fines are issued for failing to declare quarantinable items on arrival.

Australian citizens who hold dual Australian and New Zealand citizenship should use a current Australian passport to enter or leave Australia.

Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity and carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.

[IDT]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

I heard somewhere that after July this year (I think) that anyone travelling to EnZed will not need passports or visa's.

Can anyone confirm this?

Passport yes but I didn't think we (Australians) needed a visa to go to NZ ever? am I wrong?

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by WAForce8

Passport yes but I didn't think we (Australians) needed a visa to go to NZ ever? am I wrong?

You do have to sign a Visa waiver document (?) to enter NZ. So you don't actually apply for a Visa before going to NZ, you sign the appropriate documentation when you arrive. It's been a few years but I believe I had to provide the address of where I planned to stay and the date I intended to leave.

As stated, provided you don't have any criminal convictions and you weren't acting like a turkey on the plane, you'll be granted access without any fuss.

[Matty4]

That may well be the case for getting into NZ.
But you'll still need a passport to get back into Australia. We have no such exemptions as yet (and I haven't heard of anything coming in the near future either).