The new Kiwi Access Card launches nationwide on 14 January, and will replace the current 18+ Card.

Launched by Hospitality New Zealand, the Kiwi Access Card has been created to better facilitate access to goods and services for everyone, across all sections of society in New Zealand.

Like the 18+ Card, the new Kiwi Access Card is a secure and reliable way of proving your age and identity and is therefore a valuable resource for everyone in New Zealand.

Like the 18+ Card, applicants must be 18 years or older to be entitled to apply for a Kiwi Access Card. Proof of age is required as part of the application process.

The Kiwi Access Card was developed after consultation with agencies such as the Department of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Social Development, Office for Disability Issues and NZ Post.

The key feedback received was that a wide range of people across New Zealand find it difficult to gain access to everyday goods and services (such as opening a bank account), because they are unable to obtain a driver licence.

The new Kiwi Access Card has been designed with everyone in the community in mind. The card is also available to people who are not NZ nationals, but need a secure and reliable proof of age and identity while in the country.

The design of the Kiwi Access Card has been updated in order to ensure it is compliant with the latest enhanced security features. For example, the new card includes embossing, micro text, and also braille.

'Hospitality New Zealand is proud to introduce the new Kiwi Access Card, which has had a significant design upgrade to ensure that it has state of the art security features," says Hospitality New Zealand CEO Vicki Lee.

'It is our hope that this card will create opportunity and access for everyone across New Zealand, whether they have just turned 18, are about to draw their pension, or visiting us on a work or study visa.

"The card has been created with everyone in mind, and we hope that it will give everyone in New Zealand the freedom they need to get the most out of life.”

Explaining the significance to the wider community of the new Kiwi Access Card, Minister for Disability Issues the Hon Carmel Sepuloni says the new Kiwi Access Card will have a positive impact for disabled people who do not have, cannot afford, or are not eligible for a driver licence or passport.

"The Kiwi Access Card will allow disabled people to be able to prove who they are so that they can do things like open bank accounts, make hire purchases and pick up prescriptions.”

According to Blind Citizens NZ national president Jonathan Godfrey, the new Kiwi Access Card will have a particularly positive impact for the blind.

'If you have ever been asked for proof of identification, then perhaps you will have some understanding of how challenging this can be for blind people."

'I can't wait to get my Kiwi Access Card. It's a huge milestone and for blind, deafblind and vision impaired people, this will be the first time many of us will have a dedicated form of identification that we can fit in our wallet or purse.”

The aim of Kiwi Access Card is to help the community as a whole by:

● Providing stakeholders that must check and accept ID with a reliable and secure card.

● Providing young people that have recently turned 18 with a reliable proof of age.

● Providing those without access to a valid passport or driver licence, including seniors and those with disabilities, with a reliable proof of identity.

● Providing visitors to New Zealand, including those on study or working holiday visas with a reliable form of identification that can be used within New Zealand.

● Reducing the burden on passport issuing authorities of processing lost or stolen travel documents.