44 Bowen Street
Private Bag 6995
Wellington 6141
New Zealand
T 64 4 894 5400
F 64 4 894 6100
www.nzta.govt.nz
24 November 2023
Lewis T
[FYI request #24556 email]
REF: OIA-13955
Dear Lewis
Request made under the Official Information Act 1982
Thank you for your email of 27 October 2023 requesting the fol owing information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
Could I please see the current project timeline for the planned NZTA app along with the projected
cost? Additionally, could you please provide me with a timeline for the introduction of digital
driver's licenses into the app if such a timeline exists?
The Waka Kotahi App (the App) is expected to be publicly available midway through 2024. The
projected cost for the App is approximately $7.1 million.
Waka Kotahi anticipates the benefits of the App wil be realised over time. Having a secure and
convenient way for the New Zealand public to have al their information and interactions with Waka
Kotahi in one place should reduce the number of cal centre calls and wait times, as well as decrease
the use of mail and paper-based processes.
Current legal requirements for the form of driver licences only allow for the issue of physical driver
licences and paper temporary licences. Waka Kotahi has compiled an initial assessment of legislative
changes to enable the use of digital driver licences in New Zealand.
The work programme for the legislative amendments required to enable digital driver licenses in New
Zealand is the responsibility of, and currently under consideration by, Te Manatū Waka - Ministry of
Transport. As such, a timeline on when to introduce digital driver licences into the app is yet to be
established. I am therefore refusing this part of your request under section 18(e) of the Act as the
document al eged to contain the information does not exist.
Under section 28 of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review my decision to refuse
part of your request. The contact details for the Ombudsman can be located at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
If you would like to discuss this reply with Waka Kotahi, please contact Ministerial Services by email to
[NZTA request email].
Yours sincerely
Liz Maguire
Chief Digital Officer
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