Digital wallet and credentials

The new wallet is available for you to set up now.

Your wallet will be able to hold digital credentials that are currently being developed and we expect to make available progressively from October 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 October 2026 onwards, we expect to gradually add a wide range of credentials to the wallet as they’re developed.

The ‘wallet’ in the Govt.nz app lets you store accredited digital credentials — such as IDs, licences and certificates — all in one place.

You choose which credentials to add, and you control what is shared and when.

Your information stays securely stored on your device. When needed, you can safely share your details with trusted organisations.

It’s a simple and secure way to use and share important information in digital form, without carrying the physical documents.

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 to show physical documents or meet someone in person. This makes it faster and easier to access services.

They also give you more control over what information you share. For example, if you need to prove you’re over 18, instead of showing your driver licence — which includes your name, address, photo and date of birth — you could use a digital credential that only proves your age, without sharing anything else.

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 use on behalf of — such as a child or a company.

Many other countries, including Australia, have already developed digital wallets and digital identity credentials as a safer, more efficient and more private way to share information.

No — this is not a national identity system.

The app lets you use 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 will be able to use their information in a digital way to represent themselves and prove who they are. For example to:

• provide their age to enter a bar
• hold a trade qualification to enter a worksite
• use a digital driver licence to rent a car.

No — using a digital format of your credentials is completely optional.

You can choose to use digital identity credentials or you can keep using physical documents if you prefer.

However, digital credentials offer advantages over physical documents, including greater privacy, security and convenience.

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

You’ll need a device that supports biometrics, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, to keep your information secure. The authentication needed to access these services happens via your device, not an app account.

To protect your identity and personal information, the app can only be downloaded and work on phones and tablets that meet security requirements. Devices which do not have the latest Android or iOS (Apple) security updates or have been modified to bypass security controls may not meet these requirements.

Digital credentials are not just about the convenience of having them on your device — they give you greater privacy, security and control over your information.

With accredited digital identity services, you decide how, when and how much of your information is shared. For example, instead of handing over a physical document, you can share only the specific detail that’s needed.

Your information is stored securely in the digital wallet on your phone or tablet and protected through encryption, reducing the risk of misuse.

Digital identity services provide another way to identify who we are, and things about ourselves. Using accredited digital identity services means less reliance on face-to-face interactions or physical documents.

You’ll be able to store credentials accredited by New Zealand’s Digital Identity Services Trust Framework. These include:

• accredited government-issued credentials — such as driver licences, ID and qualifications
• accredited credentials from accredited businesses and organisations.

You’ll still be able to use your device’s wallet or other apps to store credentials, such as event tickets or store cards that are not accredited.

An accredited issuer is a business or organisation that provides digital credentials and it meets the rules and regulations set by New Zealand’s Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Authority.

Accredited issuers follow high standards of privacy, security and the management of your information. They display a Trust Framework Authority accreditation mark, which means their credentials can be trusted.

All credentials available in the Govt.nz app are accredited under the Digital Identity Services Trust Framework.

Trust Framework for Digital Identity — Public Service Commission | Te Kawa Mataaho