Budget 2026: SuperGold Card to become legal ID

Older New Zealanders will soon be able to use their SuperGold Card as a legal form of identification under changes announced at today's Budget.

“Budget 2026 is funding the modernisation of the SuperGold Card to give users the free option to upgrade to a version that they can use as an accepted form of primary identification,” Seniors Minister Casey Costello said.

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The upgraded card will feature a photo and increased security features, and will be at a standard required by banks and other service providers. It will be available as both a physical card and digital version.

It will be free to anyone over 65 – with the inclusion of a photograph remaining optional.

“More than 900,000 New Zealanders are aged 65 and over and many do not have legal ID such as a driver licence or passport, which can limit their ability to access things like banking and legal services," Costello said.

The scheme will cost $36.4 million in operating funding and $6.5 million in capital funding over four years.

Rollout is expected from October 2028.

In the meantime, photos could still be added by those who wanted them at the AA.