An automated way to get through passport control.
eGates are being replaced across the country through to September 2027. This may mean longer than normal queue times.
If departing New Zealand while eGates are being replaced, Customs strongly encourages travelers to allow additional time to complete departures and Customs clearance processes.
eGates are at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown airports for both arriving and departing travellers.
You can use eGate if you are 10 years of age or older, and have an ePassport from one of the below.
When you arrive in New Zealand, before you go through an eGate, you must:
If you are using an eGate when departing New Zealand, you must have your passport and your boarding pass ready.
If a Customs officer cannot verify your identity with reasonable certainty in a visual check, they may ask you to go through an eGate.
Your New Zealand Traveller Declaration will be automatically checked:
You do not need to print anything out.
To find out more, visit www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz/
eGate uses biometrics to match the picture of your face in your ePassport with the picture it takes of you at the gate.
Make sure you look as similar to your ePassport photo as possible so eGate can work. Avoid headwear that obscures any part of your face, including:
You can leave your eyeglasses on if:
eGate can handle minor changes in your face, such as:
When you use eGate, Customs, Biosecurity and Immigration officials will use the information you provide – including your photo – to clear you and your items across New Zealand's border.
We keep your biometric information for three months before destroying it. We keep your other information, including information about your movements across New Zealand's border, indefinitely. Your information will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020, or as the law authorises. This might include your information being used by or shared with other law enforcement or border control authorities.
eGate is an automated electronic system under section 296 of the Customs and Excise Act 2018. Details of the system are published here and in the New Zealand Gazette.
Two videos about using eGates are available below.
Before you can use eGates to enter New Zealand, you must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.
Everyone travelling into New Zealand must complete a declaration. It is free to submit your declaration, and your information is protected.