After downloading the app to your phone or tablet from the Apple App or Google Play Store, you can customise it. Tailor the app to suit your personal circumstances and the services you need.

Explore the ‘Services’ tab to find helpful information and services. You can pin and save useful tools and helplines to the app ‘Home Screen’ to create your own dashboard. There’s useful tools and information from across these topics:

• Business
• Driving and transport
• Education and training
• Emergencies and natural disasters
• Family and whānau
• Health and care
• Housing and property
• Law, crime and justice
• Money and tax
• Passports, visas and citizenship
• Recreation and outdoors
• Support and benefits
• Travel and living overseas
• Work

Once set up, your dashboard gives you direct access to these services without having to search each time. The goal is to make it easy to access services, request support, or update your details with the right government service.

We’re adding a range of new integrated services to the app throughout 2026 and onwards. This includes a secure messaging service and making the wallet available to the public to securely store your ‘accredited digital credentials’ — digital formats of things such as your licences, proofs of identity and qualifications.

You do not need to create an account or log in to the app itself. Your preferences are saved securely on your device, not within the app itself.

Yes. The Govt.nz app is free to download and use. Standard data charges from your mobile provider may apply.

This is the second release of the Govt.nz app, which delivers the new wallet to store your accredited digital credentials.

Right now, you can:

• access a range of services, information, tools and helplines
• save the services most relevant to you on your dashboard for quick access
• set up your digital wallet, ready for when the first accredited digital credentials are made available from credential issuers (expected by June 2026)
• set your location preferences to receive emergency alerts from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the app.

The app is designed for all New Zealanders who want faster, more convenient access to government services. It can be used from within New Zealand or overseas.

Over time, it will offer even more features that Kiwis want, such as:

• emergency updates and alerts
• secure messaging (replacing emails and letters)
• a secure digital wallet to hold identity credentials like licences and qualifications.

This will give you greater security, privacy, and control over how and who you share your information with, whether government or businesses.

An optional way to access services

We recognise that not everyone can, or wants to, use digital channels. Using an all-of-government app will always be optional. Each government agency remains responsible for providing access to their services in a range of ways, and that will not change.

Accessibility

The first version of the app has been designed and independently audited to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, helping ensure it works for as many people as possible.

Accessibility statement for the Govt.nz app

The new wallet is available for you to set up from early April 2026.

Your wallet will be able to hold digital credentials that are currently being developed and we expect to make available progressively from June 2026.

Accredited digital identity credentials are being developed in New Zealand by government, as well as commercial and non-government organisations. Once these organisations are ready to issue their accredited credentials to the public, they'll be available in the wallet so New Zealanders can store and use them.

From mid 2026 onwards, we expect to gradually add a wide range of credentials to the wallet as they’re developed.

Digital identity credentials are secure digital versions of information that prove who you are, or details about you or your organisation.

They reduce the need for face-to-face interactions or physical documents, making it quicker and easier to access services while giving you greater control over what you share.

For example, instead of showing your full driver licence with your name, address, photo and date of birth to prove you’re over 18, you could use a digital credential. This credential simply proves you’re over that age — without revealing any other personal information.

Digital identity credentials can include:

• Personal details — such as your name, birth date, qualifications or address.
• Organisational details — such as a verified bank account number, New Zealand Business Number (NZBN), or IRD number.
• Information you’re authorised to act on behalf of — such as a child or a company.

Already, many other countries, including Australia, are developing digital wallets and identity credentials as a safer, more efficient and private way to share details.

Is this a new digital identification system?

No, this is not a national identity system. It’s about providing your existing identity credentials — such as licences, qualifications, age or address — in a secured digital format. This gives you greater control over how and who you share your details with.

People, businesses and other organisations can use their information in a digital way to represent themselves and prove who they are. For example:

• providing their age to enter a bar
• holding a trade qualification to enter a worksite
• a digital drivers licence to rent a car.

Will I be made to use digital credentials?

Using a digital format of your credentials is completely optional.

People will have a choice about whether to use digital identity credentials or continue to use physical documents if they prefer.

However, it’s worthwhile understanding the benefits of using digital credentials over physical documents which includes increased privacy, security and convenience.

Will everyone be able to use the app wallet to store credentials?

You’ll need a device with secure biometric sign-in, like fingerprint or 3D facial recognition to keep your information secure.

Authentication happens via your device, not an app account.

You can set your location preferences:

• when you first set up the app, or
• later, by updating the preferences for the Govt.nz app in your phone settings.

These preferences are only used to deliver emergency warnings from trusted sources like the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Fire and Emergency.

No. The app does not track your activity or store personal information. Your preferences and wallet are saved on your device only, under your control.

The app can be used on most modern smartphones and tablets running:

• Android 13 or later, or
• iOS 18 or later.

Even if your device meets the minimum version, it’s important that it’s running the latest firmware and security patch levels and continues to receive regular security updates.

Older devices that no longer receive security patches may not meet the security standards required for the app or the Wallet features once they are released.

If you need help or assistance with the app, please visit our app support page, where you can find how to troubleshoot a range of issues and answers to common questions.

Support for the Govt.nz app

If you need further assistance, you can report an issue using our feedback form.

Report a problem with the Govt.nz app

If you need assistance with any of the services you accessed through the app, you’ll need to contact the government agency or organisation that provides that service.

If you need assistance with any of the services you accessed through the app, please contact the government organisation that provides that service — you can find their contact details on their website. If you’re unsure of who to contact, see our list of contacts by topic.

Contact details by topic

We welcome your input, and you can provide feedback or log any issues via our feedback form.

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