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Crossing the ditch could soon be smoother than ever, thanks to a game-changing new proposal. New Zealand’s National Party has announced plans to trial passport-free, paperless travel between Australia and NZ if re-elected – meaning you won’t need to flash your tragic passport pic next time you pay our neighbour a visit.
The trans-Tasman corridor is one of the world’s busiest international air routes, with both countries serving as each other’s biggest source of overseas visitors. In the year ending July 2026, NZ welcomed a record 1.59 million Aussies and 1.42 million Kiwis headed the other way.
If Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is re-elected in New Zealand’s national election on November 7, the system will be rolled out in late October 2028. This falls just ahead of the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup cricket series, which will be co-hosted by the two countries.
Under the proposed trial, travellers could opt to complete a digital declaration and upload verified credentials (such as a passport, driver’s licence or photo ID card) via smartphone before departing. This would replace the need for physical passport checks at gates in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.
Once submitted, passenger details will be pre-screened by immigration, customs and biosecurity authorities. Then, upon landing, anyone requiring baggage checks will be directed into a specific line for inspections, while everyone else can head straight through the eGates.
Obviously, the Australian government will need to agree to this to make this proposal a reality. But considering Aussies and Kiwis can already live and work in both countries visa-free, ditching passports feels like the natural next step.