Departure cards on way out for travellers leaving NZ
WELLINGTON: The Government is abolishing the need for people to fill out a departure card when leaving the country.
Travellers fill out a total of 6.5 million departure cards each year.
But Customs Minister Meka Whaitiri said the cards were no longer needed to account for all people crossing the New Zealand border.
She said staff now had smarter systems which could identify information and travel movements electronically.
‘‘Information captured by the departure cards is now mainly used for statistical purposes,’’ Ms Whaitiri said.
‘‘Stats NZ has developed an alternative way to produce migration and tourism statistics, based on actual movements rather than passengers’ stated intentions on the departure cards.
‘‘The removal of departure cards will align with international best practice,’’ Immigration Minister Iain LeesGalloway said.
‘‘Few other countries have departure cards with the level of detail required by the New Zealand one.
‘‘This also brings us closer to seamless travel between Australia and New Zealand for the benefit of transtasman travellers and businesses. Travellers will be able to travel departure cardfree on both sides of the Tasman. Australia removed their departure card last year.’’
The requirement to fill out cards will end in November. — RNZ