30 August 2012

Record week for Customs’ SmartGate

Last week, more than 55,500 travellers to and from New Zealand took advantage of SmartGate to cross our borders — the highest week on record for use of Customs’ biometric self-processing system. SmartGate was used by 69 percent of eligible arriving passengers and 60 percent of departing passengers.

Group Manager Airports, Phil Chitty says SmartGate is a stress-free way for New Zealand and Australian ePassport holders to enter both countries, or leave New Zealand. All they need is their ePassport – the two-step SmartGate will do the rest.

The age for eligible SmartGate users was lowered in January this year from 18-years of age to 16-years.

“Lowering the age for SmartGate users lets 120,000 more travellers use the kiosks every year, which benefits families with teenagers, and high school groups who can self-process together. The change in age has made SmartGate more flexible and we encourage passengers to use this technology,” Mr Chitty said.

SmartGate has enabled eligible passengers to self-process quickly when arriving or departing New Zealand. Year-to-date passenger arrivals and departures have increased by around two percent on the same period last year. Mr Chitty said with increase in passenger numbers at our airports Customs has also noticed an increase in the number of passengers using SmartGate.

ENDS

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