Government App Programme

The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has begun work on an app that will improve the way New Zealanders interact with government.

What’s the plan/work?

The government app will provide a:

  • secure way for agencies to communicate with New Zealanders
  • safe digital wallet to hold accredited digital credentials
  • direct way to access government services and make payments.

The app will prioritise usability, security and privacy for all users and will always be optional to use.

A digital wallet to hold information securely

The app will hold digital credentials accredited under the Digital Identity Services Trust Framework.

This will include credentials from government agencies and accredited private sector providers – for example, a digital driver’s licence.

Trust Framework for Digital Identity — DIA

An optional way to access government services

We know there are people who cannot or do not want to access services digitally. Agencies are responsible for ensuring people can access services in a range of ways, and will continue to do so.

Use of an All-of-Government app will always be optional.

How’s it going?

This work is a priority for the government and DIA. We have set ambitious targets for the delivery of this work and expect it will be developed and released in stages.

DIA is planning for the app, with some initial functionality, to be available on Apple iOS and Google Android platforms before the end of .

The specific government agencies that will be featured in the app will be confirmed at a later date.

Initial areas of focus

  • App foundation: building the base government app, including content about government services.
  • Notifications and secure messaging: allowing government agencies to provide notifications over time to people through a secure channel — rather than insecure text messages or email.
  • Digital wallet: a trusted wallet for people to hold their accredited digital credentials, including those issued by government.
  • Credential issuance: digital identity credential issuance to support government credential deployment to the app.

Progress updates

  • – Requestion for information (RFI) for credential issuance platform released to market via Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS).

What’s next?

Insights and user research

Coming soon.

Where can I find out more?

Contact the Government App Programme with any questions or feedback.

Email: GovernmentApp@dia.govt.nz

Utility links and page information

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