Facial recognition, smart gates and speedy transfers: Albanese says seamless trans-Tasman travel to arrive in June

Photo of a single suitcase made of fabric material and one passport in pocket.

Anthony Albanese said that he and New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins are looking at introducing seamless trans-Tasman travel by June 2024.

The “seamless experience of going through from country to country” would involve smart gates that facilitate speedy transfer processes between both countries, Albanese said.

“Before you get on a plane in either country it is already recognised that you are OK to come in. And therefore you can just go through smart gates in a seamless way and in a timely way as well,” he today said in Wellington.

“We have many business opportunities between us and the fact that business people will go from country to country regularly – what we want to make sure is that that experience is the best it can possibly be. And the efficiencies can be gained by doing so.”

The Prime Minister said he and Hipkins were putting the move as a matter of urgency “because it is really a commonsense response.”

These reforms will mean travellers likely won’t have to stop and produce passports, travel documents and boarding passes when crossing the pond.

Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TFF) CEO Margy Osmond said the commitment to establishing a joint working group to report back by the end of June next year, was a fantastic first step towards reform.

“This is terrific news for travellers and the tourism sector. We want to make travelling between Australia and New Zealand as smooth as possible and this group will help lead the best path forward to achieve it,” Osmond said.

“TTF and our colleagues at the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum have been working towards and advocating for a seamless, hi-tech border and it is great to see both Prime Ministers responding to the opportunity this represents. Both countries have listened and recognised the importance of these changes.”

This comes after the TTF called on the trans-Tasman twins (our wording, not theirs) to trial this new entry and screening tech earlier this week. Among this tech includes digital arrival cards, rather than paper ones, and the facial recognition technology.


Featured Image: Close up of New Zealand Passport in Black Suitcase Pocket (iStock/Aaftab Sheikh)

Latest News

  • Tourism

Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists

TripADeal had the biggest outlay of the more than $153 million spent on travel and tourism advertising in Australia in the first quarter of 2024, followed by Virgin Australia and Flight Centre-owned Ignite Travel, new Nielsen Ad Intel data has revealed. And the industry ad spend enjoyed an increase of 8 per cent on the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]

  • Partner Content

My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse 

Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse?  ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]

Partner Content

by Travel Weekly

Travel Weekly
  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]