17 Aug 2023

Could technology replace passports for trans-Tasman travel?

From Nine To Noon, 9:30 am on 17 August 2023
Air New Zealand

Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

An Australian tourism group is pushing for trans-Tasman border rules to be loosened to make travel between Australia and New Zealand quicker and easier.

Tourism & Transport Forum Australia says major reform is necessary, and is looking to new technology to achieve it - think digital arrival cards and facial recognition technology.

The idea has support from above, with Prime Ministers Chris Hipkins and Anthony Albanese agreeing to create a joint taskforce to work on creating a more seamless border.

So what could be in the pipeline... and could we soon be ditching our passports when we fly to Australia?

Susie finds out from Margy Osmond, the chief executive of the Tourism & Transport Forum.