50 Victoria Street
Private Bag 6995
Wellington 6141
New Zealand
T 64 4 894 5400
F 64 4 894 6100
www.nzta.govt.nz
15 September 2022
Felix Lee
[FYI request #20306 email]
REF: OIA-10820
Dear Felix
Request made under the Official Information Act 1982
Thank you for your email
of 22 August 2022 requesting the following information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
…any documents you have on plans related to Waka Kotahi issuing an ID card to people who
don't have a driver's licence, for example like the type available in Queensland. [1]
Also, in the request OIA-8248 [2] last year regarding digital driver licence, it mentioned Waka
Kotahi is monitoring ISO standard 18013-5. The standard has since been released, I would like to
know is there any updates on digital driver licence since that request.
Each part of your request is addressed in turn below:
Any documents you have on plans related to Waka Kotahi issuing an ID card to people who
don't have a driver's licence, for example like the type available in Queensland.
Waka Kotahi has no plans or intent to issue ID cards to people who don’t have a driver’s licence, as
that would fall outside our responsibility as the land transport regulator.
To provide context, the role of Waka Kotahi is to contribute to an effective, efficient, and safe land
transport system. While one of these contributing functions is the management and issue of New
Zealand driver licences, this type of accountability does not extend to issuing identity documents to
unlicensed drivers. Furthermore, unlike Queensland, New Zealand already has the Kiwi Access card,
managed by Hospitality New Zealand, which fulfils this function. More information on the Kiwi Access
card is available online at: kiwiaccess.co.nz/
Therefore, I am refusing your request under section 18(e) of the Act, as the document alleged to
contain the information requested does not exist.
Also, in the request OIA-8248 [2] last year regarding digital driver licence, it mentioned Waka
Kotahi is monitoring ISO standard 18013-5. The standard has since been released, I would like
to know is there any updates on digital driver licence since that request.
While the International Organization for Standardization Standard (ISO) 18013-5 has been developed,
we are stil in the same position regarding the legislation change requirement referred to in OIA-8248.
However, we are about to enter the discovery phase, which involves gathering information,
understanding early adopter experiences and what a digital driver licence might look like and mean in
the New Zealand context.
Under section 28 of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review my decision to refuse
the first 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 at
[NZTA request email].
Yours sincerely
Chris Rodley
Senior Manager Regulatory Standards and Implementation
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