Lost and Stolen Passports

If your passport is lost or stolen while in New Caledonia, French Polynesia or Wallis and Futuna, you should report it immediately to the local Police, asking that they give you a copy of the report. You should then contact us so that we can advise you with regards to a replacement passport.

Since 26 October 2004 New Zealand diplomatic posts no longer issue limited validity manual passports in emergency situations. Instead, most posts can issue an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). ETDs are recognised by international border control authorities.

An ETD is a machine-readable travel document that can be issued to New Zealand citizens overseas in emergency and compassionate situations only. It is also issued in cases where a previous New Zealand passport has expired, or been lost or stolen and a replacement cannot be obtained direct from the Department of Internal Affairs.

An ETD is not a passport.

ETDs have been introduced to improve the overall security of New Zealand travel documentation by ensuring New Zealanders overseas have access to a secure and internationally accepted short-term emergency travel document.

ETDs have a validity of up to 12 months. The processing fee of NZ$350 is the same for an adult or child. It includes the cost of a full replacement passport upon application to the Department of Internal Affairs before the expiry date of the ETD.

New Zealand citizens are strongly advised to ensure their passports are kept up-to-date and in a safe place, and to obtain a full-validity, machine-readable passport if their passports have expired.

For further information on ETDs, contact us, or consult the Department of Internal Affairs’ website where you can download both passport and ETD application forms.