New Zealand Embassy Tokyo, Japan
Embassy services for New Zealanders
Help in an emergency
Staff at New Zealand embassies can help you in several ways if you get into difficulties overseas but there are some limitations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Safe Travel website has information about what the embassy staff can and cannot do to help.
Emergency Travel Documents
If your passport has been lost, stolen or damaged, and you need to travel urgently, an Embassy or High Commission may be able to issue an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Safe Travel website has details of how and where to apply for an ETD and what documentation you will require.
Legal and Notarial Services
New Zealand representatives overseas can perform certain legal or notarial acts in accordance with the law of New Zealand eg. the taking of affidavits, affirmations and statutory declarations.
What the Embassy Can and Can't Do
The Embassy can provide assistance and guidance to any New Zealander in serious distress - for example, if you have been involved in an accident, been hospitalised, arrested or detained, or you have lost your passport.
The Embassy's telephone number is (03) 3467-2271. This number can be phoned after-hours for advice of urgent after-hours numbers.
The Embassy can:
- Give guidance to New Zealanders in trouble, with the primary aim of helping them to help themselves.
- Help you contact relatives or friends back home for financial help, if you find you need this.
- Depending on the circumstances, visit you in hospital or prison and monitor your well-being.
- In an emergency, provide you with a small loan to help with your immediate needs, against a signed undertaking to repay.
- Arrange for next of kin to be informed in case of accident or death, and advise on procedures.
- Provide voting facilities if you are away for a New Zealand General Election or a by-election.
The Embassy cannot:
- Pay your hotel, travel or other bills, bail or medical expenses.
- Help you with arrangements which could be readily handled by local organisations, such as banks, lawyers, travel agents, or funeral directors.
- Give you legal advice, or get you out of prison.
- Get you better conditions in a hospital or prison than a local national would receive.
- Give you a loan, other than in an emergency situation (see above).
- Trace missing persons or investigate a crime. These are police matters.
- Hold or send mail on your behalf.
Register your travel details
Help us find you in an emergency, so we can check on your well-being or send you important information. Register now
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