# New Zealand eGates: What Arriving Groups Need to Know > New Zealand eGates for groups: 59 eligible countries and territories, the age-10 rule, ePassports and the traveller declaration. Source: https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-26-new-zealand-egates-arriving-groups-passport-control/ Entry rules 26 October 2026 · Explera Trade Desk · 3 min read ![Travellers queueing at automated passport gates in an airport](https://www.explera.co.nz/assets/blog/travellers-queue-airport-egates-1400.webp) **Short answer:** New Zealand Customs eGates let eligible travellers clear passport control without a staffed desk. Customs says travellers aged 10 or over with an ePassport from 59 eligible countries and territories can use them, after completing the New Zealand Traveller Declaration. Explera DMC New Zealand briefs arriving groups so the whole party clears the border smoothly. This briefing is for travel agents and tour operators who send groups to New Zealand. Most of a group may use the eGates, but some clients will need a Customs officer, so the meeting point and the timing should allow for both. ## Who can use the eGates? - **Age.** Customs lowered the minimum age from 12 to 10 in May 2024. Children under 10 go to a staffed desk with their family. - **ePassport.** The traveller needs an electronic passport from a country or territory on the Customs eligible list. - **The list.** Customs added 11 countries and territories on 13 October 2025: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, Seychelles and San Marino. That took the total to 59. - **Arrivals and departures.** Customs said the eGates can be used for both arrivals and departures. On departure, clients need their passport and boarding pass ready. ![A hand holding a passport above a suitcase handle](https://www.explera.co.nz/assets/blog/passport-suitcase-handle-close-up-1400.webp) *A hand holding a passport above a suitcase handle* ## What must clients do first? - **The traveller declaration.** Everyone arriving in New Zealand must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration before passport control. It also covers biosecurity, so clients must declare risk goods. - **Check the passport.** A client whose passport is not on the eligible list, or is not an ePassport, uses a staffed desk. - **Entry rules still apply.** An eGate does not replace an NZeTA or a visa. Clients must hold the right entry permission before they fly. ## How should groups plan for arrival? - **Expect a split.** Some clients will use the eGates and some will queue for an officer, for example children under 10 or travellers on other passports. We set the meeting point after baggage and biosecurity, not at passport control. - **Brief the tour leader.** The tour leader should know which clients may need a staffed desk and keep the group's documents together. - **Allow time.** Long-haul flights often land close together. We leave a buffer before the first coach transfer or activity of the day. - **Families and mixed groups.** A family with a child under 10 goes to the staffed desk together. We tell agents in advance so no one is left waiting alone. ![A bag in a tray on an airport security scanner belt](https://www.explera.co.nz/assets/blog/bag-tray-airport-security-belt-1400.webp) *A bag in a tray on an airport security scanner belt* ## How Explera DMC New Zealand can help We arrange [airport meet and assist](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/airport-meet-and-assist-new-zealand/), [group tours](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/group-tours-new-zealand/) and [coach and private transfers](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/coach-and-private-transfers-new-zealand/) for travel agents and tour operators. See our [entry requirements briefing](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-05-new-zealand-entry-requirements-nzeta-visas-agents/), our [biosecurity briefing for arriving groups](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-13-new-zealand-biosecurity-arriving-groups-declaration/) and our [Auckland Airport transfers briefing](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-21-auckland-airport-terminal-transfers-groups/). ## FAQ **How old must a traveller be to use the eGates?** At least 10. Customs lowered the age from 12 to 10 in May 2024. **How many countries and territories are eligible?** Customs said the total reached 59 after it added 11 more on 13 October 2025. Check the Customs list for each passport. **Do clients still need the New Zealand Traveller Declaration?** Yes. Everyone arriving must complete it before passport control. **Can the eGates be used on departure?** Yes. Customs said they can be used for arrivals and departures. Clients need their passport and boarding pass ready. **Does an eGate replace a visa or NZeTA?** No. Clients must still hold the right entry permission before they travel. ## Sources - [eGate](https://www.customs.govt.nz/travel-to-and-from-new-zealand/travel-by-air/egate), New Zealand Customs Service, checked 24 October 2026 - [Eleven more countries and territories now eligible to use eGates](https://www.customs.govt.nz/about-us/news/media-releases/eleven-more-countries-and-territories-now-eligible-to-use-egates), New Zealand Customs Service, 13 October 2025 - [Customs opens eGates for 10-year-olds and six more countries](https://www.customs.govt.nz/about-us/news/media-releases/customs-opens-egates-for-10-year-olds-and-six-more-countries), New Zealand Customs Service, May 2024 ## Talk to the trade desk Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal [b2b.expleradmc.com](https://b2b.expleradmc.com). Destinations in this briefing [Auckland](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/auckland/) ## Talk to the trade desk *Your New Zealand DMC partner* From a single FIT to series groups and full MICE programmes, every New Zealand proposal is costed by hand against your brief at net rates. Send your requirements as a new email with a descriptive subject line. [b2b@explera.co.nz](mailto:b2b@explera.co.nz) [WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090](https://wa.me/66936568090) ## More from the trade blog. *Keep reading* [All posts](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/) [Subscribe via RSS](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/rss.xml) - [Routeburn Track 2026/27: Groups Guide](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-26-routeburn-track-2026-27-season-groups/) - [Te Matatini 2027 at Hopuhopu: Planning for Groups](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-26-te-matatini-2027-hopuhopu-kapa-haka-festival-groups/) - [DOC and RealNZ Partnership: What It Means for Groups](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-25-doc-realnz-conservation-partnership-fiordland-groups/)