Say goodbye to queues at Kiwi Customs
The Dominion Post says that Kiwis flying across the Tasman could soon be getting through airports more quickly with the help of automatic passport-reading machines as New Zealand and Australian travellers with electronic passports will be able to put themselves through passport control without having to queue.
Passengers put their passports into a machine similar to a ticket kiosk that downloads details, including an electronic image of the passport holder’s face.
Passengers are then given a coupon for a gate, at which cameras and computers using facial recognition technology do the checks done till now by customs officers.
Customs comptroller Martyn Dunne said New Zealanders had been able to use the SmartGate at Brisbane Airport since late last year and the system would soon be set up in Sydney.
Similar machines would be tested in Wellington in the next few months and he expected the system would be available for all trans-Tasman travel in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
At first it would be available only to New Zealanders and Australians with electronic passports but he expected it would later be available to those from other countries.
Travellers would still have to go through the airport baggage-checking system and some people would still be pulled aside.
“All this is processing people and takes away the necessity to handle everybody in a one-to-one contact,” Mr Dunne said.
New Zealanders and Australians accounted for 60 per cent of all trans-Tasman passengers and it would streamline the procedure for most people.
What is SmartGate?
SmartGate is an electronic passport control system that automatically checks that travellers are who they say they are and does the routine immigration and customs checks everyone is put through when arriving at the border. It should reduce airport queues.
How does it work?
The SmartGate kiosk reads data, including an electronic photo on the microchip embedded in electronic passports issued since 2005. Computers use facial recognition technology to verify the passenger’s identity. If they match, passengers go through automatically – if not, they have to be checked by a customs officer.
A Report by The Mole from The Dominion Post
John Alwyn-Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026