From 2026, drivers will no longer need to keep a physical licence on them when driving, with digital versions legally accepted for the first time.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the change was “a common sense thing,” while Transport Minister Chris Bishop described New Zealand as a global pioneer, saying this country would be among the first in the world to embrace fully digital licensing.
The reform is being promoted as a way to reduce reliance on plastic cards and paper certificates and to reflect the increasing use of digital wallets.
But the Aotearoa Workers Solidarity Movement (AWSM) said the proposal went far beyond convenience, arguing it would open the door to deeper state surveillance and exclusion.
“Carrying a plastic card may be mildly inconvenient, but it grants a measure of independence,” the group said. “A digital licence resides in an app linked to databases beyond your control. Every time it is accessed or presented, a record can be generated, stored, and potentially cross-referenced with other information about you.”
AWSM likened the shift to a modern form of the “panopticon,” warning that citizens could begin to regulate their own behaviour simply from the awareness they might be watched.
The group also raised concerns about social exclusion, pointing out that digital licences assume every citizen owns and can operate a compatible smartphone. “Low-income families, elderly people, and those without the latest devices risk being marginalised,” AWSM said.
International examples were cited as cautionary tales, including India’s Aadhaar biometric ID system and China’s use of digital IDs linked to its social credit system.
AWSM also said the move would benefit private contractors and technology companies tasked with building and maintaining the systems, while exposing citizens to risks from outages and cyber-attacks.
Minister Bishop has defended the reforms, saying digital systems improve security and reflect the way New Zealanders already use technology in everyday life. The Government has indicated physical licences will remain available, though AWSM warned these could eventually be sidelined.
The group said the rollout of digital licences should not be viewed as a neutral technological advance. “They deepen surveillance, reinforce inequality, and render citizens dependent on fragile technologies,” AWSM said.
The legislation is expected to be introduced later this year.
Broadcaster Chris Lynch is an award winning journalist who also produces Christchurch news and video content for domestic and international companies. This article was originally published by Chris Lynch Media and is published here with kind permission.
The reform is being promoted as a way to reduce reliance on plastic cards and paper certificates and to reflect the increasing use of digital wallets.
But the Aotearoa Workers Solidarity Movement (AWSM) said the proposal went far beyond convenience, arguing it would open the door to deeper state surveillance and exclusion.
“Carrying a plastic card may be mildly inconvenient, but it grants a measure of independence,” the group said. “A digital licence resides in an app linked to databases beyond your control. Every time it is accessed or presented, a record can be generated, stored, and potentially cross-referenced with other information about you.”
AWSM likened the shift to a modern form of the “panopticon,” warning that citizens could begin to regulate their own behaviour simply from the awareness they might be watched.
The group also raised concerns about social exclusion, pointing out that digital licences assume every citizen owns and can operate a compatible smartphone. “Low-income families, elderly people, and those without the latest devices risk being marginalised,” AWSM said.
International examples were cited as cautionary tales, including India’s Aadhaar biometric ID system and China’s use of digital IDs linked to its social credit system.
AWSM also said the move would benefit private contractors and technology companies tasked with building and maintaining the systems, while exposing citizens to risks from outages and cyber-attacks.
Minister Bishop has defended the reforms, saying digital systems improve security and reflect the way New Zealanders already use technology in everyday life. The Government has indicated physical licences will remain available, though AWSM warned these could eventually be sidelined.
The group said the rollout of digital licences should not be viewed as a neutral technological advance. “They deepen surveillance, reinforce inequality, and render citizens dependent on fragile technologies,” AWSM said.
The legislation is expected to be introduced later this year.
Broadcaster Chris Lynch is an award winning journalist who also produces Christchurch news and video content for domestic and international companies. This article was originally published by Chris Lynch Media and is published here with kind permission.
6 comments:
Surely it is easier to carry a small credit card sized licence than a phone. This is a step too far.
These measures are (or could be) the antecedent to your social credit score, manipulation of travel and monitoring of movement among the many other things.
They may seem like a great idea but in truth it takes but one corrupt hacker or one authoritarian government to turn them into much, much more than even the CCP uses.
New Zealand saw through 2017-2023 what an authoritarian government can do even without that level of 'control'. Imagine what could have been concieved with this type of technology in situ.
So they are a hard NO from me.
Home and property owners have no need to keep physical records of land titles. Not for about the last 25 years since NZ land property system went electronic and now web based.
There was no public outcry of which I am aware.
When you are next pulled over by police do you think they don't already know whether the vehicle is registered, has a WOF or the owners name?
Untill we have a government we can “trust” this seems like it’ll just enable overreach.
We already saw what happened with the miss-use of the traffic cameras and the ladies of the night headed up north during lockdown
Why do politicians think NZ should be "Global Pioneers" in these types of ventures. Just like Chloe and her mates about climate change initiatives. What it really means is we become guinea pigs and the rest of the world is happy for us to take the risks, to satisfy some idiots ego
Wake up NZ, digital fails privacy, who is requesting or indeed demanding this?….Citizens were loud and clear about apartheid- which has been implanted into our country…..One of my family member left their communist country years ago….Freedom is no longer valid word for NZ…….wake up ask questions, hello who is receiving the money that this country cannot afford with the huge debt load already….I still retain my first license from when I received it……Wars are about what ?….Deception is the devil work….Transparency - 120 mp in beehive happy to hood wink NZ citizens….Wait old saying truth will be revealed….
Post a Comment