7 Oct 2012

Customs changes mooted for NZ - Australia travel

4:29 pm on 7 October 2012

The Government is exploring the idea of doing away with passport checks for arrivals on trans-Tasman flights.

Four million people have passed through the SmartGate system for electronic passports since it was introduced in 2009 as a way of speeding up the arrival process.

Customs Minister Maurice Williamson said he wants to link that system with Australia so passengers need be cleared only once by Customs when travelling between the two countries.

He said other ideas are also being considered and it is likely not as many Customs officers will be needed in the future as technology improves.