In New Zealand, if your essential ID—like your Passport or Driver’s Licence—was stolen, withheld, or destroyed by an abuser, there are specific “hardship” pathways to get them replaced. These documents are vital for your mana and your ability to open bank accounts, rent houses, and travel.
Here is how you can navigate the agencies to get your identity back.
1. New Zealand Passport (Internal Affairs)
Usually, a passport costs around $215, but if yours is being held by an abuser or was destroyed during violence:
- The “Withheld” Clause: If the abuser refuses to give you your passport, it is considered a stolen document. You should report it as stolen to the Police.
- Fee Waivers: The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has the discretion to waive or reduce fees in “exceptional circumstances.”
- The Process: Call the Passport Office on 0800 22 50 50. Tell the operator: “I am a victim of family violence and my passport is being withheld/was destroyed. I need to speak to a supervisor about a hardship fee waiver.” You will likely need a letter from a support worker (Refuge, Shine) or a Police file number.
2. Driver’s Licence (NZTA / Waka Kotahi)
A replacement licence usually costs about $38. If you cannot afford this due to economic abuse:
- The WINZ Pathway: This is the most common way survivors get their licence fee covered. Even if you aren’t on a benefit, you can apply for a “Recoverable Assistance Payment” or a “Hardship Grant.” * How to do it: Book an appointment at Work and Income. Tell them: “I need a replacement licence for safety and employment reasons following family violence.” They can often pay the fee directly to the licensing agent (like AA or VTNZ).
3. Birth Certificates
If you don’t have your birth certificate, you can’t get other IDs.
- The Cost: A standard certificate is $33.
- The Solution: Similar to passports, Internal Affairs can waive fees for “Humanitarian” reasons. Alternatively, if you are working with a Whānau Ora provider or Women’s Refuge, they often have small discretionary funds specifically to pay for birth certificates for clients.
4. Changing Your Name for Safety
If the abuser is tracking you through your name, you may want to change it legally.
- Confidentiality: In NZ, when you change your name, you can request that the change is not published in the public Gazette for safety reasons.
- Protection Order Benefit: If you have a Final Protection Order, the process for keeping your new name and address off public registers (like the Electoral Roll) becomes much easier and often free.
5. Essential “Identity” Contacts in NZ
| Document | Agency | Contact |
| Passport | Internal Affairs | 0800 22 50 50 |
| Licence | NZTA | 0800 822 422 |
| Birth/Marriage | Births, Deaths & Marriages | 0800 22 52 52 |
| IR No. / Child Support | Inland Revenue | 0800 227 774 (Ask for the Family Violence Team) |
Safety Tip: If you are ordering new documents, do not have them sent to your home if the abuser still has access to the mail. Have them sent to a “Poste Restante” (held at the local PostShop), a friend’s house, or your lawyer’s office.
Poste Restante
Poste Restante is a free or low-cost service provided by NZ Post that allows you to have mail sent to a specific PostShop rather than to your home address.
For a survivor of family violence, it is a vital safety tool because it prevents an abuser from intercepting your mail or using your letters (like bank statements or legal documents) to find out where you are living.
How it Works in Aotearoa
- Choose a PostShop: Pick a NZ Post branch that is convenient for you to get to, perhaps one near your work or in a different suburb from where you live.
- The Address Format: When you give an address to the Passport Office, a bank, or a lawyer, you format it like this:[Your Name]Poste Restante[Name of PostShop, e.g., Auckland City PostShop][City/Town, e.g., Auckland 1010]
- Collection: NZ Post will hold your mail at that counter. You simply walk in, show your photo ID, and ask if there is any “Poste Restante” mail for you.
Why it’s a “Safety Essential”
- Privacy: It breaks the link between your physical home and your sensitive documents. Even if an abuser finds your mail, they only find the address of a public post office.
- No “Paper Trail”: Unlike a PO Box, you don’t usually have to sign a long-term lease or have a permanent bill sent to your house to set it up.
- Time: Most NZ Post branches will hold Poste Restante mail for up to 3 months for international mail or usually 1 week to a month for local mail (it’s best to check with the specific branch).
Things to Note
- The Cost: In New Zealand, many branches offer this for free for the first few weeks, but some may charge a small fee if you use it as a long-term solution.
- The Alternative (PO Box): If you need a more permanent “blind” address, you can rent a PO Box. If you have a Protection Order, you can sometimes get help from Work and Income (WINZ) to pay for the annual cost of a PO Box as part of your “Safety Costs.”
Staying Safe and Sane 