EGate access at the New Zealand border is being expanded to 15 more European Union member states from today, which Customs says means more than 85% of travellers to NZ now have access to automatic border processing.
Customs said all 27 EU Member states have eGates access from today.
Group Manager of Border Operations Dana McDonald said the move will make it “seamless” for more travellers entering the country.
“Our eGates use sophisticated biometric software and information from ePassports to carry out necessary checks within seconds, enabling Customs frontline officers to place increased focus on other tasks like assessing high-risk travellers, such as drug couriers,” McDonald said.
“Our connections with the European Union are strong and New Zealand is a popular destination for European visitors.
“This expansion to all EU Member States is further good news for travellers from that part of the world.”
The announcement means 37 countries now have access to eGates when entering New Zealand on ePassports.
In May this year, Customs announced that 10 and 11-year-old children were now also able to use the gates.
Before then, children had to be 12 or older to use the automated system.
Around 70% of arriving and departing passengers are successfully processed through an eGate, Customs said.
EGates access available to ePassport holders aged 10 and over from these countries
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, New Zealand, People’s Republic of China, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America.
