"One less barrier": Passport-free trans-Tasman travel would 'open up the market'

Strong support from tourism operators for more domestic-like trans-Tasman travel. 

If re-elected, National will trial a fully digitised airport process for Australians travelling here or Kiwis heading across the ditch. 

Eligible travellers could get through gates on facial recognition without the need for a passport. 

Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism CEO Mat Woods told Ryan Bridge some people don't have passports due to the costs and processes involved.  

He says making a trans-Tasman flight more like a domestic one creates fewer barriers and opens up the market to more people. 

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