A future of easier and more efficient travel between Australia and New Zealand is on the horizon, with the first meeting of the Trans-Tasman Seamless Travel Group held last Wednesday (24 January 2024).
Chaired by Australian Border Force (ABF) Commissioner Michael Outram and New Zealand Customs Service Chief Executive and Comptroller Christine Stevenson, the group brings together senior leaders from border agencies and industry, including major airlines, international airports, and tourism representatives, to scope initiatives to further streamline travel between the two countries.
The Trans-Tasman Seamless Travel Group has been established to deliver on the Australian and New Zealand’s Prime Ministers’ commitment to explore ways to move closer to seamless travel.
The group will report back to both Prime Ministers on options to improve the trans-Tasman traveller experience in June 2024.
Broader consultation across the aviation and tourism sector is underway to canvass views and identify opportunities to further streamline trans-Tasman travel.
The group will look at both short and long-term initiatives, including the use biometrics to enable contactless processing of Australian and New Zealand citizens, exploring pre-clearance of passengers and their bags and the creation of a digital alternative to the paper incoming passenger card in Australia.
ABF Commissioner Michael Outram said this work will not only strengthen border security, but also our economic prosperity as a country.
“Australia and New Zealand have always been at the forefront in innovative border clearance, this group brings together leading industry players to work with government on joint initiatives to keep us there.
“The border is one of our greatest national assets. Trans-Tasman travel offers a great test bed, we can leverage our strong ties and trust to innovate and trial seamless traveller initiatives to provide a better experience for Australian and New Zealand passengers.
“Investment in a digital, streamlined and secure future border will support our economy, facilitate growing passenger volumes and ensure both New Zealand and Australia remain competitive within the global economy.”
Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) CEO, Margy Osmond, said the work marked a significant step forward in the mission to deliver a more seamless border for Australians and New Zealanders crossing the Tasman.
“In the most competitive global tourism market we have ever seen, funding a safe, efficient border that delivers the best customer experience possible is a must, and getting it right on the Trans-Tasman route is a vital first step,” Ms Osmond said.
“We want to thank our New Zealand counterparts for engaging in a highly productive meeting which brings us closer to trialling critical reforms in the digital, biometrics and biosecurity space.”
