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133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T +64 4 496 2000
1 March 2021
Andi Buchanan
By email: fyi-request-14593-c46731 [email address]
Ref:
H202100587
Dear Andi Buchanan
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of
Health (the Ministry) on 1 February 2021 for information related to the NZ COVID Tracer app.
Responses to your questions are set out below.
"1. Why was drivers licence was chosen as the primary method of verification, as opposed
to Rea/Me, or other identification options such as passports?"
The QR code posters used by NZ COVID Tracer are backed by the New Zealand Business
Number (NZBN) register, which holds information about every registered business in New
Zealand. When NZ COVID Tracer was first released the only way to obtain a QR Code poster
was through the Business Connect service, operated by the Ministry of Business, Innovation,
and Employment (MBIE), using a RealMe login.
We received feedback that many people found this process difficult to use. This led to the
creation of the Rapid QR Service, available at https://qrform.tracing.covid19.govt.nz. A
Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry and MBIE requires us to verify the identity
of people requesting posters on behalf of a business registered with the NZBN.
The Rapid QR Service was developed under urgency, and a decision was made to prioritise
identity verification using NZ driver licences. This decision was informed by previous experience
the Ministry had with verifying driver licences, and their widespread availability. We appreciate
that not everyone has a driver licence or that some people may find it difficult to use an online
process, so a manual process was also established to support people who have other forms of
identity, including a NZ passport. This has included, at times, printing and mailing posters to
people.
"2. Are there plans to change the primary online QR code generation process to include
other forms of identification?"
For people who wish to request a poster on behalf of a business, there are no plans to offer
alternative forms of identification. We are, however, planning to remove the identity verification
requirement for people requesting a poster as an individual (e.g. for a private party).
