Contact us
What do you want to contact us about?
(Services listed alphabetically)
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
See also: Our public office locations
Public service updates
Aotearoa:
Our public counters are open for appointment only. To book an appointment, please visit our websites below. We encourage you to apply wherever possible using our online services:
Sydney:
Our Bond Street office is open by appointment. Head to our website to book an appointment.
London:
Our London office is open by appointment only – please contact us to make an appointment.
Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism
Information and resources to help New Zealand businesses understand and maintain their systems and processes in order to comply with their Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism obligations.
Archives New Zealand, Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
Guardian of the New Zealand government record and manager of the Public Records Act 2006. Archives New Zealand’s holdings include the originals of the Treaty of Waitangi, government documents, maps, plans, paintings, film and sound recordings. The General Manager is the Chief Archivist.
Apostille Certification
Authentication Unit
Births, Deaths and Marriages
Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) registers and maintains New Zealand birth, death, marriage and name change information, and issues certificates and printouts.
Casino Inspectors
See: Gambling
Censorship Compliance
See: Prevention of Online Harms
Charities
Charities Services work to support more than 27,800 registered charities in Aotearoa by administering the Charities Act 2005. We promote public trust and confidence in the charitable sector and encourage the effective use of charitable resources.
Citizenship
Functions relating to New Zealand citizenship, including registrations for citizenship by descent, applications for citizenship by grant, proof of citizenship and changing your citizenship status.
If your enquiry relates to immigration visas, travel movements, or travel requirements please contact New Zealand Immigration: www.immigration.govt.nz/contact
If your enquiry is about travelling to New Zealand during the pandemic, see www.miq.govt.nz
Commissions of Inquiry
See: Public and Government Inquiries
Community grants, funding and advisory services
Community Operations - Hāpai Hapori - leads the Department’s direct interface with New Zealand communities, primarily by providing information, resources and advice to communities and the administration of grant funding.
Complaints
If you wish to make a complaint to the Department of Internal Affairs, please contact the relevant service (see contact list above) or email complaints@dia.govt.nz. For further information see our customer complaints procedure.
Congratulatory Messages
You can get a congratulatory message for significant birthdays and wedding anniversaries from the King and New Zealand dignitaries. This is a free service for all New Zealand citizens and permanent residents who live in New Zealand.
Countering Violent Extremism Online
See: Prevention of Online Harms
Daylight Saving
The Department of Internal Affairs administers the Time Act 1974 and the New Zealand Daylight Time Order.
Contact: daylightsaving@dia.govt.nz
More information about Daylight Saving
Deaths
See: Births, Deaths and Marriages
Digital Child Exploitation Team
See: Prevention of Online Harms
Digital Public Service
Digital Public Service supports government’s digital transformation and focuses on how government can meet the needs of people using emerging technologies, data and changes to government culture, practices and processes.
Digital Messaging and Systems
See: Spam prevention & messaging compliance
Document Authentication
When you need to use a New Zealand document in another country, you might be asked to get the document apostilled or authenticated. Some countries call this legalisation. An apostille or authentication is an official government certificate that proves the signature, stamp or seal on a document is genuine.
Dog Policy
The Department of Internal Affairs administers national Dog Control laws. The laws are enforced by Local Councils.
Ethnic Communities
The Office of Ethnic Communities is now the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, and no longer a part of the Department.
Flag Hire
Visits and Ceremonial office hire flags of most countries of the world for indoor or outdoor events such as conferences, functions and parades in New Zealand.
Gambling
The Gambling Group ensures gambling bodies comply with legislation and licensing regulations to help keep gambling fair and honest in New Zealand.
General Enquiries
See: General Enquiries
Harbourmaster Service at Lake Taupō
The Department of Internal Affairs is home to the Lake Taupō Harbourmaster.
Inquiries Directorate
See: Public and Government Inquiries
Lake Taupō Harbourmaster
See: Harbourmaster Service at Lake Taupō
Local Government Policy
Contact: Councils@dia.govt.nz
More information about Local Government Policy
Marriages
See: Births, Death and Marriages
Media contacts
See our media contacts page - includes Internal Affairs news releases.
National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa
National Library of New Zealand contacts
National Library of New Zealand office locations
New Zealand Gazette
The official Government newspaper and authoritative journal of constitutional record.
Official Information Act (OIA) requests
Make an Official Information Act request to the Department of Internal Affairs.
Passports
Apply for a passport or check on the status of a current application.
If your enquiry relates to immigration visas, travel movements, or travel requirements please contact New Zealand Immigration: www.immigration.govt.nz/contact
If your enquiry is about travelling to New Zealand during the pandemic, see www.miq.govt.nz
Please be aware of planned outages to our online passport and citizenship by grant application services from January to March 2024. Visit our website for details on dates and times when you will be unable to apply online, along with more information about upcoming requirements to delete draft unsubmitted passport applications.
Prevention of Online Harms
The Digital Safety Group at Department of Internal Affairs responds to violent extremist content and child sexual abuse material online.
Public and Government Inquiries
Contact: statutoryinquiries@dia.govt.nz
More information about Public and Government Inquiries
RealMe
RealMe® is a government login service that allows you to access multiple online services with one username and password. You can securely prove who you are online with your RealMe verified identity.
Contacts and locations
Enquire online
Royal Commissions of Inquiry
See: Public and Government Inquiries
Spam prevention & messaging compliance
Information to assist New Zealand businesses and the public to comply with the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007, the law that regulates ‘Spam’.
The Translation Service, Te Pūtahi Whakawhiti Reo
The Translation Service provides professional translation and other language services including quality assessment, typesetting, transcription and cultural advice to businesses, central and local government and private individuals.
Violent Extremism
See: Prevention of Online Harms
Visits and Ceremonial Events
The Visits and Ceremonial Office (VCO) is responsible for the planning, administration and coordination of arrangements for visitors to New Zealand who have been accorded Guest of Government status by the Prime Minister.
Contact: VCO.info@dia.govt.nz
More information about Visits and Ceremonial Events
Water Services Policy and Legislation
The Government has initiated a new direction for water services policy and legislation - Local Water Done Well.
Contact: waterservices@dia.govt.nz
More information about Water Services Policy and Legislation
General Enquiries
Link above to our contacts and office location details, by service (in alphabetical order), for a quicker response.
If you cannot find the team you require:
Freephone: 0800 25 78 87 (New Zealand only)
Phone: +64 4 495 7200
Email: info@dia.govt.nz
The Department of Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwhenua office is located at:
Department of Internal Affairs
45 Pipitea Street
Wellington 6011
PO Box 805
Wellington 6140
Contact other New Zealand government agencies
For information on all New Zealand Government organisations and departments, you may visit New Zealand Government Online. This site provides links and information for all government, local government, crown agencies, health and education institutions.
List of New Zealand government agencies (Govt.nz website)
