How to use the app

You can use the app on most modern smartphones and tablets that have:

• Android 13 or later
• iOS 18 or later.

Even if your device meets the minimum version, it must have the latest software and security updates. Older devices that no longer get security updates may not meet the security requirements needed to be able to use the app or new features.

Troubleshooting

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

Download apps to your Android device — Google Help

Download apps on your iPhone or iPad — Apple Support

1. Tap ‘Manage’ beside the heading ‘Emergencies and severe weather’.
2. Tap ‘Add location’.
3. Type in the address of your location or long press on the map to drop a pin.
4. Add a name to describe your location (for example, Home, Work or Parents)
5. Tap ‘Save location’.

1. Tap ‘Manage’ beside the heading ‘Emergencies and severe weather’.
2. Under the heading ‘Your locations’ tap the location you want to remove.
3. Tap ‘Remove location’.
4. On the next screen tap ‘Remove’.

Turn on push notifications

The first time you turn on push notifications in the app, it will send you a test notification so you know it’s working. This will be clearly marked so you can tell the difference to a notification for a real emergency alert.

1. Tap ‘Manage’ beside the heading ‘Emergencies and severe weather’.
2. Tap ‘Notifications’ and then ‘Notify me’.
3. If you have not previously given permission, the Govt.nz app will ask to send you notifications.
4. On the screen titled ‘Turn on notifications’ tap ‘Next’.
5. A popup modal will ask ‘Allow “Govt.nz” to use send you notifications’. Tap ‘Allow’.

6. On iOS an additional step to ‘Turn critical alerts on or off’ will appear. Click ‘Next’

7. Based on your preferences tap ‘Allow’ or ‘Don’t allow’.

Choose the alert types you want

By default you will receive ‘All alerts’. To change this:

1. Tap ‘Manage’ beside the heading ‘Emergencies and severe weather’.
2. Tap ‘Notifications’.
3. Choose either ‘All alerts’ or ‘Highest severity alerts only’.

Turn off push notifications

1. Tap ‘Manage’ beside the heading ‘Emergencies and severe weather’.
2. Tap ‘Manage in device settings’ beside the text ‘Device notifications are on/off’.
3. Toggle ‘Allow Notifications’ (iOS) or ‘All Govt.nz notifications’ (Android) to off.

You can manage these settings from the ‘Notifications’ screen at any time by tapping ‘Manage in device settings’ beside the text ‘Device notifications are on/off’.

 Android and iOS devices allow critical alert notifications to override your usual notifications settings. This means you can receive alerts even when your phone is on Do Not Disturb or Focus mode.

This can make a difference in an emergency when you should take action immediately to protect people, animals and property. You still have control over if this is turned on or off.

On Apple iPhones

‘Critical alerts’ is a special iOS notification category — separate from ordinary notification permission. The Govt.nz app has specific approval from Apple to use it.

1. Tap on your profile icon.
2. Tap ‘Notifications’.
3. Ensure ‘Notify me’ is toggled on.
4. Tap ‘Manage in device settings’ beside the text ‘Critical Alerts are on/off’.
5. Tap ‘Notifications’.
6. Make sure ‘Allow Notifications’ is on, and toggle on (or off) ‘Critical Alerts’.  

 On Android phones

On some Android phones you can allow critical alerts to make a sound even when Do Not Disturb is on. Android settings are different across phone models and software versions so the steps for each differ.

1. Tap on your profile icon.
2. Tap ‘Notifications’.
3. Ensure ‘Notify me’ is toggled on.
4. Go to your phone’s settings to manage notifications, including which apps can bypass Do Not Disturb. Look for options such as ‘Notifications,’ ‘Sound & vibration’, ‘Do Not Disturb’ or ‘Allowed apps’, depending on your device.

Turn on emergency alerts for your current location

1. Tap ‘Manage’ beside the heading ‘Emergencies and severe weather’ on the ‘Home’ tab.
2. Tap ‘Display for current location’ to toggle alerts on. 
3. If you have location services turned off, the Govt.nz app will ask to Turn on device location services.
4. Otherwise, tap ‘Next’ (iOS) or ‘Allow location permissions’ (Android) on the screen titled ‘Turn on current location alerts’. 
5. A popup modal will ask ‘Allow “Govt.nz” to use your location?’.
6. Tap ‘Allow’.

Turn off emergency alerts for your current location

1. Tap ‘Manage’ under heading ‘Emergencies and severe weather’ on the ‘Home’ tab.
2. Tap ‘Display for current location’ to toggle alerts off.

You can also enable or disable location services from the settings menu on your device. 

Manage Location Services settings — Apple Support 

Manage location permissions for apps — Google Help 

Turn on device location services

1. Tap ‘Open device settings’ (iOS) or ‘Enable location services’ (Android)
2. Toggle ‘Location Services’ on
3. Tap ‘Back’
4. A popup modal will ask ‘Allow “Govt.nz” to use your location?’.
5. Tap ‘Allow’.

Emergency alerts will appear within the Govt.nz app and/or as push notifications on your device.

View emergency alerts inside the app

1. Open the Govt.nz app.
2. View any alerts under the heading ‘Emergencies and severe weather’.
3. Tap an alert to read more.

Turn push notifications on or off

If you accidently clear a push notification

You will still be able to access the alert on the app’s home screen. You need to setup your location preferences first.

Turn alerts on or off for your current location

You can only access the wallet using a strong biometric check enabled by the device manufacturer, either a fingerprint scan or three-dimensional (3D) face recognition.

1. Open the Govt.nz app and tap the ‘Wallet’ tab.
2. Tap either ‘Get started’ (Android) or ‘Add to wallet’ (iOS).
3. Tap ‘Secure my wallet’.
4. Scan your fingerprint or tap ‘Allow’ when prompted by the Govt.nz app to use Face ID (iOS).
5. Your wallet is now secure. Tap ‘Done’ to continue adding credentials to the wallet.

Many Android devices only support less secure two-dimensional (2D) face recognition, as they do not have the sensors necessary for 3D protection. In this case, you’ll only be able to use fingerprint scans to access the wallet.

Does the app store biometric information?

Digital credentials can be added to your app wallet in 2 ways. If you’re not sure which method applies to you, check the instructions provided by the organisation issuing your credential. 

Add a digital credential using a QR code

Some organisations issue credentials after you’ve completed a process with them, such as verifying your identity or signing up for a service.

They will provide you with a QR code once that process is complete, either by email, online or in person. To add a credential this way:

1. Open the Govt.nz app and tap the ‘Wallet’ tab.
2. Tap ‘Add to wallet’ (Android) or the plus ‘+’ button (iOS).
3. Select ‘Scan a code from an issuer’.
4. After you scan the code, you may be asked to enter a pin or complete a short verification step before the credential is added.

Add a digital credential by requesting it from the app

1. Open the Govt.nz app and tap the ‘Wallet’ tab.
2. Tap ‘Add to wallet’ (Android) or the plus ‘+’ button (iOS).
3. Select ‘Find a digital credential’ to see the list of available credentials. Not every credential is listed here — some are only added using a QR code from the issuing organisation. See Add a digital credential using a QR code.
4. Select the credential you want. The app will guide you through signing in or verifying your identity with the issuing organisation.
5. When complete, the credential will appear in your wallet.  

The list of credentials available to add to the wallet will keep growing as more become accredited.

You can share a credential when a service provider asks you to verify information about yourself, like checking your age or identity.

Security when sharing a credential

Sharing can be done securely through the app — in person or when completing an online process. You do not open the credential and show it like a physical ID card. Instead, the information is sent only after you approve it. 

You stay in control at all times. Before anything is sent, you’ll see:

• what information is being asked
• which credentials the information comes from.

Ways to share a credential

A service provider may ask you to share a credential using:

• a QR code — in person or via a secure digital request
• tap-to-share using Near Field Communication (NFC), available on Android devices only.

QR code in-person method

If you use a QR code in person:

1. Open the Govt.nz app.
2. Tap the ‘Wallet’ tab.
3. Tap ‘Use QR code’. This will display a QR code on your screen.
4. Allow the service provider to scan your QR code using their reader device. 

QR code secure digital request method

If you use a QR code displayed via a secure digital request by the service provider:

1. Open the Govt.nz app.
2. Tap the ‘Wallet’ tab.
3. Tap ‘Use QR code’.
4. Tap ‘Scan QR’.
5. Point your camera at the QR code displayed online.

NFC tap-to-share method

If you use NFC tap-to-share (Android only):

1. Make sure you have Bluetooth enabled.
2. Hold your phone near the NFC reader while on the wallet screen.

The app will automatically find a credential in your wallet that matches your request. You will see what information is being asked. You approve or decline the request. To approve, confirm using Face ID or Touch ID. Only you can authorise a credential to be shared.

The app will select the most recently issued credential if you have more than one that could be used. Tap the ‘Switch’ button to switch to a different credential if you prefer.

If none of your digital credentials match the request, you will not be prompted to share anything. The app will explain what is missing.

What is NFC? 

NFC stands for Near Field Communication. It allows 2 devices to exchange information when they’re close together, often called ‘tap-to-share’.

Why does the app ask to use NFC (tap-to-share)?

1. Open the wallet in the app
2. Select ‘Manage wallet’
3. Select the credential you wish to delete from the list
4. Scroll to the bottom of the credential details and select the ‘Remove credential’ button
5. Confirm that you want to remove the credential.

1. Open the Govt.nz app and tap the ‘Services’ tab.
2. Tap ‘Topics’.
3. Select a topic of interest. Topics are ordered from A-Z.

1. Open the Govt.nz app and tap the ‘Services’ tab.
2. Tap ‘Life stages and changes’.
3. Select a topic of interest.

1. Open the Govt.nz app and tap the ‘Services’ tab.
2. Under the heading ‘Recently viewed services’ you will see a list of topics you have recently viewed.
3. If you’d like to clear your browsing history tap ‘Clear’.

You keep the same IRD number for life, so if you’ve lost it, you do not need to apply for a new one — it’s easy to look it up in the app using information you’ve already registered with IRD.

1. Open the Govt.nz app and tap the ‘Services’ tab.
2. Tap ‘Topics’ followed by ‘Money and tax’.
3. Tap ‘Find my IRD number’.
4. Follow the instructions on screen.

Find my IRD number is one of a growing number of services being added to the app.

Future releases

1. Open the Govt.nz app and tap the ‘Services’ tab.
2. Browse services either by ‘Topics’ or ‘Life stages and changes’.
3. Find a service under a heading labelled ‘Quick support’ or ‘Useful tools’.
4. Select the pin button to the right of the phone number or tool.
5. You will receive a notification ‘Pinned to home’ and item will be pinned.
6. Select the ‘Home’ tab and check under the heading ‘Your pinned items’.

1. On the ‘Home’ tab navigate to the heading ‘Your pinned items’.
2. Tap the pin button beside the phone number or tool you want to remove.
3. You’ll get a notification saying ‘Unpinned from home’.
4. The pinned item will no longer appear on your home screen.