IN-CONFIDENCE RELEASE EXTERNAL

IN-CONFIDENCE RELEASE EXTERNAL
-----Original Message-----
From: Felix Lee +ADw-fyi-request-31061-b808f452+AEA-requests.fyi.org.nz+AD4-
Sent: Thursday, 22 May 2025 14:27
To: OIA +ADw-OIA+AEA-customs.govt.nz+AD4-
Subject: Official Information request - eGate Hong Kong / Macau

Dear New Zealand Customs Service,

Thank you for your reply to my previous request of OIA 24-759.

I would like to make another request since early 2025 has passed and no updates have been implemented

I would like to request the timetable about using eGate in NZ for Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and British National (Overseas) passport users.

I have family who need to renew their visa and therefore would like to know which passport would facilitate their travels.

Thank you for your help

Yours faithfully,

Felix Lee

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This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
fyi-request-31061-b808f452+AEA-requests.fyi.org.nz

Is oia+AEA-customs.govt.nz the wrong address for Official Information requests to New Zealand Customs Service? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://fyi.org.nz/change+AF8-request/ne...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The information contained in this email is intended for the addressees and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the New Zealand Customs Service.

This email may contain information that is confidential or legally privileged. If you received this in error, please:

1. Reply promptly to that effect, remove this email and any replies from your system.
2. Do not act on this email in any other way.
Please ensure this email and any attachments are controlled and handled according to their classification - PSR Classifications Quick Guides.+ADw-https://protectivesecurity.govt.nz/asset...

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IN-CONFIDENCE RELEASE EXTERNAL

[Customs reference OIA 25-370]

 

Kia ora Mr Lee

 

Thank you for your email to the New Zealand Customs Service (Customs)
received on 22 May 2025, referencing your previous request to Customs
[Customs Reference OIA 24-759] , and advising that you  would like to make
another request since early 2025 has passed and no updates have been
implemented seeking the timetable about using eGate in NZ for Hong Kong
SAR, Macau SAR, and British National (Overseas) passport users.

 

Today, Customs has just published the media release below on the Customs
Website advising that from 26 May 2025, ePassport holders from a further
11 countries and territories to use its eGates and will later this year
enable further countries to use the eGates.

 

[1]https://www.customs.govt.nz/about-us/new...

 

Ngā mihi

 

Debbie Kay Manager, Correspondence, Reviews and Ministerial Servicing,
International and Governance |New Zealand Customs Service

 

 

 

 

IN-CONFIDENCE RELEASE EXTERNAL

-----Original Message-----
From: Felix Lee <[FOI #31061 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 22 May 2025 14:27
To: OIA <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - eGate Hong Kong / Macau

 

Dear New Zealand Customs Service,

 

Thank you for your reply to my previous request of OIA 24-759.

 

I would like to make another request since early 2025 has passed and no
updates have been implemented

 

I would like to request the timetable about using eGate in NZ for Hong
Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and British National (Overseas) passport users.

 

I have family who need to renew their visa and therefore would like to
know which passport would facilitate their travels.

 

Thank you for your help

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Felix Lee

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[2][FOI #31061 email]

 

Is [3][Customs request email] the wrong address for Official Information
requests to New Zealand Customs Service? If so, please contact us using
this form:

[4]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[5]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The information contained in this email is intended for the addressees and
is not necessarily the official view or communication of the New Zealand
Customs Service.

This email may contain information that is confidential or legally
privileged. If you received this in error, please:

 a. Reply promptly to that effect, remove this email and any replies from
your system.
 b. Do not act on this email in any other way.

Please ensure this email and any attachments are controlled and handled
according to their classification - [6]PSR Classifications Quick Guides.

References

Visible links
1. https://www.customs.govt.nz/about-us/new...
2. mailto:[FOI #31061 email]
3. mailto:[Customs request email]
4. https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
5. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
6. https://protectivesecurity.govt.nz/asset...

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Thank you for contacting the New Zealand Customs Service. This is an
automatic reply to let you know that we have received your correspondence.

If your correspondence relates to an Official Information Act request, we
will consider and respond to your request in accordance with the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act). Under section 15(1) of the Act, we are
required to make and inform you of our decision on your request as soon as
reasonably practicable and in any case not later than 20 working days
after the day on which your request is received.  If you would like to
calculate the timeframe, you can use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/

 

If we need to clarify, or transfer your request, or extend the timeframe
for response, we will contact you shortly. If more than 20 working days
are needed due to the potential workload and/or consultations involved in
answering your request, we will notify you accordingly.

 

Please note, we publish some of our Official Information Act responses on
our web site. We will not publish your name or contact details.

 

 

 

The information contained in this email is intended for the addressees and
is not necessarily the official view or communication of the New Zealand
Customs Service.

This email may contain information that is confidential or legally
privileged. If you received this in error, please:

 a. Reply promptly to that effect, remove this email and any replies from
your system.
 b. Do not act on this email in any other way.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/

IN-CONFIDENCE RELEASE EXTERNAL

Kia ora Mr Lee

 

Thank you for your follow up email below received by Customs on 16 June
2025, which reads:

 

"Thank you for your update and the work in implementing 11 more passports.
I was wondering if there's anything else you can share regarding Hong Kong
and BN(O) passports.”

 

I can advise that Hong Kong is part of the next group of 13 countries that
Customs are working towards enabling using eGates in New Zealand. The
indicative time frame for this next group is September 2025. Final
decisions on this date remains subject to completing testing and formal
approvals, and timeframes are indicative only.

 

In terms of BN(O) passports, at this stage I am unable to provide any
indicative time frame.

 

Ngâ mihi

 

Debbie Kay Manager, Correspondence, Reviews and Ministerial Servicing,
International and Governance |New Zealand Customs Service

 

IN-CONFIDENCE RELEASE EXTERNAL

-----Original Message-----
From: Felix Lee <[FOI #31061 email]>
Sent: Monday, 16 June 2025 21:56
To: OIA <[email address]>
Subject: Re: [IN-CONFIDENCE RELEASE EXTERNAL]RE: Official Information
request - eGate Hong Kong / Macau - OIA - Customs Reference OIA 25-370

 

Dear Debbie,

 

Thank you for your update and the work in implementing 11 more passports.

 

I was wondering if there's anything else you can share regarding Hong Kong
and BN(O) passports.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Felix Lee

 

-----Original Message-----

 

IN-CONFIDENCE RELEASE EXTERNAL

 

[Customs reference OIA 25-370]

 

 

 

Kia ora Mr Lee

 

 

 

Thank you for your email to the New Zealand Customs Service (Customs) 
received on 22 May 2025, referencing your previous request to Customs 
[Customs Reference OIA 24-759] , and advising that you  would like to
make  another request since early 2025 has passed and no updates have
been  implemented seeking the timetable about using eGate in NZ for Hong
Kong  SAR, Macau SAR, and British National (Overseas) passport users.

 

 

 

Today, Customs has just published the media release below on the Customs 
Website advising that from 26 May 2025, ePassport holders from a further

11 countries and territories to use its eGates and will later this year 
enable further countries to use the eGates.

 

 

 

[1][1]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

 

 

Ngâ mihi

 

 

 

Debbie Kay Manager, Correspondence, Reviews and Ministerial Servicing, 
International and Governance |New Zealand Customs Service

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN-CONFIDENCE RELEASE EXTERNAL

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[2][FOI #31061 email]

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[3]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The information contained in this email is intended for the addressees and
is not necessarily the official view or communication of the New Zealand
Customs Service.

This email may contain information that is confidential or legally
privileged. If you received this in error, please:

 a. Reply promptly to that effect, remove this email and any replies from
your system.
 b. Do not act on this email in any other way.

References

Visible links
1. https://www.customs.govt.nz/about-us/new...
2. mailto:[FOI #31061 email]
3. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

hide quoted sections