Temporary airport identity cards

Airport identity cards are required to carry out work in security areas and security enhanced areas at airports where the Director of Civil Aviation has specified that airport identity cards must be displayed.

Applying for temporary airport identity cards

Who can apply for a temporary airport identity card?

If you hold an airport identity card or if you are a certifier, you can apply for an escorted temporary airport identity card for a person who:

• needs to work in a security area or security enhanced area of a security designated airport for less than 60 days in a 365-day period; or

• is waiting for an airport identity card to be issued.

You can apply for an unescorted temporary airport identity card if you have lost, misplaced or forgotten your permanent airport identity card.

How do I apply for a temporary airport identity card?

To apply for escorted and unescorted temporary airport identity cards log into Airport Gateway (https://app.idgateway.co.nz(external link)) using your log-in credentials.

• If you have forgotten your password, use the “forgotten password” option.
• If you have forgotten your user name or PIN, contact one of your organisation’s authorised certifiers or organisation manager.
• If you have locked yourself out after several unsuccessful attempts to log in, contact your authorised organisation manager.
• If you do not know who your organisation’s authorised certifiers or organisation manager are, contact the AIC Helpdesk (aichelpdesk@avsec.govt.nz) or your local Avsec office (see contact details below).

The following links show airport identity card holders how to:

• apply for escorted temporary airport identity cards(external link); and
• apply for an unescorted temporary airport identity card for themselves.(external link)

Applications for escorted temporary airport identity cards should be submitted at least 24 hours before the cards are required and by early Friday morning for a weekend card pick-up.

How long do temporary airport identity cards last?

Temporary airport identity cards can be issued for periods of between one and seven days. Cards are only issued for the minimum required period of time that entry into a security area or security enhanced area is required. If you need to be able to enter these areas for more than seven days you will need to apply for a new temporary airport identity card for each seven-day period.

Temporary cards can only be issued for up to 60 days in a 365-day period. If you will need to access security area or security enhanced areas for more than 60 days you will need to apply for an AIC (see https://www.aviation.govt.nz/airspace-and-aerodromes/airport-identity-cards/permanent-airport-identity-cards/).

How much does it cost to apply for a temporary airport identity card?

The application fee for a temporary airport identity card is $7.95 (including GST). This fee is set out in regulation 10A of the Civil Aviation Charges Regulations (No 2) 1991(external link).

Fees are incurred upon application and invoiced monthly to the employer of the person who applied for the temporary airport identity card.

What do I need to provide with my application?

For each person who requires a temporary airport identity card the following must be provided:

1. a photograph (see the photo requirements below) and
2. a colour copy of one of the following forms of identification which must be current and cannot be cancelled or defaced:

• New Zealand driver licence – must show both sides, with the photo side uploaded first; or
• New Zealand Passport; or
• Overseas Passport; or
• NZ 18+ card or Kiwi Access card; or
• Firearms licence; or
• Military Identification; or
• Police Identification; or
• Statutory declaration signed and dated by a Justice of the Peace (JP) or other authorised person, with an accompanying photo of the applicant. A copy of the Statutory declaration form can be found below (effective 1 June 2022)

Statutory Declaration for an Airport Identity Card [DOCX 18 KB]

Does my photo need to comply with any particular requirements?

• Photo must be less than six months old
• There must be a strong contrast between the image and the background, with no shadows across the face and preferably a plain background
• Head must be at least 75% of photo
• Do not wear sunglasses, or glasses with tinted lenses that obscure your eyes
• No head-covering or headband should be worn in the photo, unless you must wear either for religious or medical reasons.

What happens to my personal information?

Information contained in your application will be kept in the strictest confidence and handled according to the principles of the Privacy Act 2020(external link). Under the Privacy Act you have the right to request access to, or correction of, any personal information held by the Aviation Security Service.

Issuing temporary airport identity cards

Where and when are temporary airport identity cards issued?

Temporary airport identity cards can be issued from the following locations during these times:

Auckland
AIC Office, Aviation Security Service Base, 6 Cyril Kay Road, Auckland aichelpdesk@avsec.govt.nz 09 255 6014	Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 2:00 pm
Control Room, 6 Cyril Kay Road, Auckland International Airport	Anytime
Wellington
Reception, Level 1, Aviation Security Service Administration Building, AFS Complex, Station Drive, Wellington International Airport Reception.WLG@avsec.govt.nz 04 388 0950	Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 7:30 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm; Wednesday, 7:30 am to 12:00 pm
Aviation Security Service IOC, Level 1, Main Terminal Building, Wellington International Airport	Outside reception opening hours
Christchurch
10 Ivan Crescent, Christchurch International Airport, Christchurch Reception.CHC@avsec.govt.nz 03 357 3500	Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Domestic screening point, Christchurch	5:30 am to 9:30 pm
Queenstown
Aviation Security Service Base Reception, Queenstown Airport Reception.ZQN@avsec.govt.nz 03 442 3049	Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Screening point, Queenstown Airport	Airport operating hours
Dunedin
Aviation Security Service Base Reception, Dunedin International Airport Reception.DUD@avsec.govt.nz 03 474 9919	Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

What do I need to provide to be issued with a temporary airport identity card?

Before a person can be issued with a temporary airport identity card they must show us an original approved identity document which confirms their identity. (For a list of approved identity documents see above What do I need to provide with my application?)

Photocopies or photos on mobile phones of identity documents are not acceptable.

Conditions of use

What do I have to do if I have been issued with a temporary airport identity card?

If you have been issued with a temporary airport identity card you must do the following while you are in a security or a security enhanced area:

• be escorted by a person holding a permanent airport identity card, unless you have been issued with an unescorted temporary airport identity card,
• wear the card so that it is clearly visible to other people,
• only enter the security or a security enhanced areas specified in your application,
• only remain in the security or a security enhanced area for the purpose of your work,
• comply with the airport’s safety and security rules,
• produce your card for inspection if asked to do so by an authorised person.

What is a security or a security enhanced area?

The diagram below shows security and security enhanced areas.

Can I lend my temporary airport identity card to someone else?

A temporary airport identity card is not transferable and can only be used by the person who is named on the card.

How can I reduce the amount of money that my organisation spends on temporary airport identity cards?

Your organisation can reduce the amount of money that it spends on temporary airport identity cards by:

• applying for airport identity cards at the earliest possible opportunity so new employees don’t need to be issued with a temporary card while they are waiting for their airport identity card to be issued;
• returning airport identity cards to Aviation Security Service for any employees who no longer work for you to ensure that your organisation is not charged if these people escort a temporary card holder;
• ensuring that applications are only made for those people who are able to attend the airport on the appointed day.