As Covid-19 border restrictions relax here and abroad, Kiwis are ready for international travel. But passports are taking almost three times as long as usual to process.
Over half a million passports have expired in the past couple of years.
The DIA says there's a high demand for passports with processing time shifting from 10 to 22 working days, equivalent to 32 calendar days, plus time for passports to arrive in the post.
For peace of mind six weeks for processing in recommended. Department of Internal Affairs' Deputy Chief Executive Service Delivery and Operations Maria Robertson joins Kathryn.