Easier, faster way to upgrade RealMe accounts   29 May 2015

29 May 2015 Media Statement

Easier, faster way to upgrade RealMe accounts

Minister of Internal Affairs Peter Dunne says thousands of New Zealand online passport renewal applicants now have an easy, fast way to get a RealMe verified identity and access a range of online services.

“With a tick of the box, New Zealanders can verify their identity with RealMe when they renew an adult passport online and already more than 1200 customers have done so, more than half of those eligible, since the launch of the service at the weekend.

“Customers can use a RealMe verified identity to open bank accounts with BNZ and TSB, enrol to vote with the Electoral Commission and more. Students are able to use a RealMe verified identity when they apply to StudyLink for allowances and loans.

“Adult passport renewal online customers are required to have a RealMe login and it is a simple step to upgrade their RealMe account to a RealMe verified identity using the passport photo they submit as part of their application, at no extra cost. Up to 400,000 adults renew their passport every year, 150,000 of them use the world-class online renewal service annually”, says Mr Dunne.

“RealMe is a core component of the Government’s drive to deliver better, faster online services.

“The Electronic Verification Act was introduced in 2012 to allow people to prove their identity electronically to public and private providers, using RealMe as a secure, trusted, consent based online identity verification service. Once a customer has verified their identity they will no longer need to supply paper identity documents to prove who they are.

Banks and finance companies can use RealMe to meet the requirements for electronic identity verification set out under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism legislation.

“RealMe is another example of the Government making life easier for New Zealanders. A RealMe verified identity is a secure, trusted, consent-based online identity. I look forward to more organisations signing up to this innovative service in the near future”, says Mr Dunne.

More information about the RealMe services is available at:

http://www.realme.govt.nz

RealMe is an initiative from the New Zealand Government and New Zealand Post.

Renew your passport online and get a RealMe verified identity here.

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