Expiring NZ Passport

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JoeBurmeister@hotmail.com - 26 Feb 2007 03:10 GMT

Due to an illness in the family, I may need to travel to NZ in the
next few weeks (March/April time frame). The only problem is my NZ
passport is due to expire in late May. Will I have any problems
boarding a flight to NZ in next few months if my passport is not valid
for the required 6 months? What about coming back to the USA shortly
before my passport expires?

I don't like the idea of mailing my passport off to NZ to get it
renewed in case I need to travel in the last minute.

I remember renewing my NZ passport back in 1997 by taking it to the NZ
Embassy in Washington D.C. But I don't think the NZ Embassy in DC does
passport renewals anymore as the website http://www.passports.govt.nz
recommends you mail your passport to NZ via a courier for processing -
can anyone confirm this?

I am a NZ citizen living in the USA for the past 20 years (US
Permanent resident).

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A Mate - 26 Feb 2007 05:41 GMT

If you will be in NZ it surely will be very easy to renew your passport
there. You should have no problem boarding a flight to NZ, since NZ
nationals have automatic right of entry to their own country - passport or
not. Your passport will be current still in March/April. The 6 month
passport timeline never applies to a country's own citizens.

> Due to an illness in the family, I may need to travel to NZ in the
> next few weeks (March/April time frame). The only problem is my NZ
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> I am a NZ citizen living in the USA for the past 20 years (US
> Permanent resident).

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texan....usenet@texas...removethisbit...usacom.. - 26 Feb 2007 17:16 GMT

>If you will be in NZ it surely will be very easy to renew your passport
>there. You should have no problem boarding a flight to NZ, since NZ
>nationals have automatic right of entry to their own country - passport or
>not. Your passport will be current still in March/April. The 6 month
>passport timeline never applies to a country's own citizens.

NZ do NOT have automatic entry whether they have a passport or not.
Who on earth told you that story?

Cath

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A Mate - 27 Feb 2007 00:01 GMT

That's not a 'story' - that's a universal legal principle! The best example
is Wilfred Burchett - an Australian journalist (member of the Communist
Party, and a vocal Viet Cong supporter, who was denied a passport by the
Australian Government during the Vietnam War. He smuggled himself out via
New Guinea and Indonesia; but returned on a scheduled flight - with no
passport, and in fact having departed the country illegally, - with no
hindrance whatsoever - since he could easily prove that he WAS an Australian
citizen, albeit one who had been denied a passport.
He was subsequently charged with departing the country by other than a
legitimate exit point - and that was all he COULD be charged with.

I DO wonder why so many people are 'controllers' who like to believe in the
supremacy (and efficacy) of bureaucratic procedures. There's nearly always a
legal, safe 'work-around'.

>>If you will be in NZ it surely will be very easy to renew your passport
>>there. You should have no problem boarding a flight to NZ, since NZ
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Cath

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texan....usenet@texas...removethisbit...usacom.. - 27 Feb 2007 06:12 GMT

>>>If you will be in NZ it surely will be very easy to renew your passport
>>>there. You should have no problem boarding a flight to NZ, since NZ
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>>
>> Cath

>That's not a 'story' - that's a universal legal principle! The best example
>is Wilfred Burchett - an Australian journalist (member of the Communist
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>supremacy (and efficacy) of bureaucratic procedures. There's nearly always a
>legal, safe 'work-around'.

But your reply still did not answer my question as to your source of
info re NZ'ers being able to board without a valid passport!

That's why there is if one does not have a valid passport, emergency
travel documentation is available. And yes, the NZ Embassys' can do
and provide these for this purpose.

Cath

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texan....usenet@texas...removethisbit...usacom.. - 26 Feb 2007 05:48 GMT

>Due to an illness in the family, I may need to travel to NZ in the
>next few weeks (March/April time frame). The only problem is my NZ
>passport is due to expire in late May. Will I have any problems
>boarding a flight to NZ in next few months if my passport is not valid
>for the required 6 months? What about coming back to the USA shortly
>before my passport expires?

I returned to the US with less than a year left on my passport.
I don't think they worry too much as long as you have a current
greencard - which is what they were more interested in!

Just ensure you have a valid greencard as many of the old type ones
did have to be renewed for the new 'model'...

>I don't like the idea of mailing my passport off to NZ to get it
>renewed in case I need to travel in the last minute.

If you did so, you can obtain an emergency travel document from the
Embassy but it costs!

>I remember renewing my NZ passport back in 1997 by taking it to the NZ
>Embassy in Washington D.C. But I don't think the NZ Embassy in DC does
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>I am a NZ citizen living in the USA for the past 20 years (US
>Permanent resident).

Better update yourself big time!
No, passports can no longer be renewed at eithe the Embassy in D.C. or
the Consulate in Los Angeles [my daughter had her's renewed at the
latter].

They can only be renewed at either: Wellington, Australia or London.
I know as I am in the same boat with a renewal!

You can send them to the Embassy in D.C. to be put in the Dip Bag but
there is an additonal hefty charge for doing it this way.

I opted to send mine to London as it was overall, cheaper and included
return postage back to me here in Texas.

#1 - check the situation with the carrier you are likely to fly with
as to validity and explain that you intend to renew your passport when
you get to NZ which is what I would strongly advise you to do asap
after landing.

Check out the facts/application form at:
http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf

You could also email them as to how long it would take for a renewal
to be done whilst you are back in NZ.

BTW, the passports are now only valid for a max of 5 years!

I highly recommend any immigrant to keep their passport valid as one
never knows when they will need it.

Cath

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Immigration Forum / Australia and NZ / February 2007

Expiring NZ Passport