A government app has just been released with the aim of eventually hosting digital driver licenses alongside other government services on your phone.
Digitising Government and Public Service Minister Judith Collins described the govt.nz app as a secure, user-friendly portal for accessing information and services across government. She called it a significant milestone in building a digital public service that prioritizes customers, operates efficiently, and is ready for the future.
The app will let users pull trusted government information and services into one place, tailor the experience to what matters most to them, and receive emergency alerts from agencies like the National Emergency Management Agency and Fire and Emergency.
In the months ahead, the plan includes adding features such as messaging and notifications, plus a digital wallet designed to hold identity credentials like licenses and professional qualifications. Once digital driver licenses become available, they would be stored in this wallet.
Collins expressed optimism about the benefits these enhancements would bring as the app’s capabilities expand. She emphasised that participation would remain voluntary and that people could still access government services through other channels. The overarching goal is to provide a secure, convenient option while upholding the highest safety standards.
Govt.nz is accessible on both iOS and Android devices.
Digital driver license legislation
Earlier this year, the Regulatory Systems (Transport) Amendment Bill passed its first reading and proceeded to the select committee. The bill broadens the definition of a driver’s license to cover both electronic and physical forms and creates a framework for future legislation on digital licenses.
Associate Transport Minister James Meager, when introducing the bill, noted that digital licenses could extend beyond driving to many situations where ID is required. He gave examples such as needing to prove identity at a port or showing a digital license to a bouncer at a bar if the physical card isn’t on hand. He also stressed that physical licenses would remain an option for those who have trouble using technology.
NZ First leader Winston Peters later proposed his own digital ID legislation. He suggested concerns about digital-only systems becoming coercive or insecure and introduced a bill that would require organisations to accept hard-copy IDs like passports and driver licenses when proof of age or identity is needed, with penalties for insisting on digital-only versions. Peters clarified that his stance was not anti-digital but aimed to include practical guardrails against digital overreach.
