Kiwi tots trotting the globe
One in four children under 2 years old has a passport
New research shows the average Kiwi tot is set to start globetrotting at the age of 3 — well before most of their parents were. The study conducted by travel company Expedia found 56 per cent of Kiwis aged 17 years or younger held a passport.
One in four children under the age of 2 was in possession of a passport and 7 per cent got one before they were even 2 months old. Passports for children, even babies, cost $105.
The age for obtaining passports was much different from their parents’ generation, when the average age to get a passport was 18.
Expedia travel expert Lisa Perkovic said it seemed Kiwis’ love of travel and experiencing new cultures was being passed down to future generations. Affordability was a factor in a growing number of jetsetting youths, she said, as was better access to more countries.
“As the world gets smaller and we are more connected than ever, visiting family and friends in other countries is a priority for many.
“Not only do kids get to spend quality time with family, their eyes are also opened up to new cultural experiences.”
Kiwis were also more likely to catch the travel bug at an earlier age than our neighbours across the ditch.
The average Australian kid received their first passport at 4.6 years old, while the average age in the older generation was 19.
Almost half of Kiwis surveyed for the research had taken their child on a long-haul flight, with a majority of those travellers saying they had no regrets about the move.
Another 56 per cent of jet-setters said they enjoyed their holidays more with kids than those taken before they had offspring, and 75 per cent said travelling with kids prompted them to do more research.
New Zealander Grace Nash got her daughter Genevieve her first passport when she was just three months old.
The youngster was born in London, though her parents had since relocated her back to Auckland. At just 19 months old she has ticked off Italy, Dubai and Australia.
Grace said she didn’t see parenthood as a barrier to travelling internationally. “We love travelling and this is something we wanted Genevieve to experience from a young age,” she said.
Preparation, and ensuring a degree of routine was maintained were top tips, as was breaking up long-haul flights with mini-stops. Expedia also recommended packing a kiddy survival kit, with essentials such as snacks, nappies and water.
Perkovic said certain destinations were better suited to families travelling with young children.
The top picks for next year were Samoa and Australia’s Sunshine Coast along with the old favourites such as Fiji and the Gold Coast.