All systems go! A new law’s been passed that allows you to safely and securely prove your identity online. Read the press release

Verify your identity once; use it again and again online

The RealMe® service from the New Zealand government and New Zealand Post lets people prove who they are and more easily access services online. It will give you a secure online way to prove your identity to an organisation, such as a bank, insurance company or government agency. The service is:

  • Quick and easy
  • Regularly reviewed to ensure high levels of security
  • Once you’ve had your identity verified, you don’t have to visit offices or send information and it’s valid for five years
  • You control all access to your information

Powered by the government, great for business

The RealMe® service will enable organisations to verify a customer’s identity and address online. If your organisation is in banking or finance, it helps you comply with new customer due diligence obligations under anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism legislation.

How it will work

Application process
  • RealMe icon

    Get a RealMe® login

    If you already have an igovt logon, you can use that. With a login, you can access participating services from different organisations.

  • Apply online icon

    Upgrade to a verified RealMe® account

    • Apply online to verify your identity Then get your photo taken at a PostShop to prove you are who you say you are
    • The igovt team will confirm your identity
    • Apply online to verify your address with New Zealand Post
    • Enter the code you’ve been posted
    • The New Zealand Post team will confirm your address
  • Photo verification icon

    Use RealMe® service to prove you’re really you

    When you want to apply for services with participating organisations, you can now quickly and easily prove your details online.

    • Click on RealMe®
    • Consent to share your information with the organisation you choose

Privacy is important to us, really important

Identity verification is not an area to take lightly in any respect. So the RealMe® service has been designed with privacy and security at the core. The specialised team behind the RealMe service is made up of experts at the New Zealand government’s Department of Internal Affairs and New Zealand Post.

How will my privacy be protected?

You will have full control over who you let access your information. It’s not stored centrally by the RealMe service at any point, it remains in the original database, such as the New Zealand birth register. The RealMe service lets you securely share your information with other organisations online and you consent each time you want to share your information. You can also review what data you have shared when and where.

Setting the bar for privacy

The Electronic Identity Verification Bill 2012 reflects the global push for privacy being built into service design. The RealMe service will comply with the requirements set out by the Act.

Keeping it all secure

The RealMe® team work hard to keep the service safe and very secure and it has been thoroughly reviewed and tested by independent security specialists. A comprehensive suite of national and international security standards, practices and guidelines were used to design the RealMe service and regular security reviews continue to be undertaken.

If you are concerned about internet security and safety, NetSafe’s Security Central website has useful guidance about antivirus software, firewalls, updates, backing up data, passwords, downloads and online scams. The Department of Internal Affairs also provides information about how to protect yourself from identity theft.

Working with the Privacy Commissioner

The New Zealand Privacy Commissioner has been consulted on the RealMe® service design. The key to the design is ensuring individuals retain full control over personal information, who they send it to and when; and the system is highly secure.

The Privacy Commissioner continues to be consulted as the RealMe service is developed and enhanced.

Backed by the New Zealand government and New Zealand Post

The Department of Internal Affairs and New Zealand Post are working together on the RealMe® service. We believe this investment will make New Zealanders’ contact with their government and the wider business community much, much simpler and easier.

New Zealand Government New Zealand Post

News & Updates

RealMe® announced at Identity Conference

Very appropriately, the first public announcement of the RealMe® service was at the Identity Conference 2012: Managing Digital Identity in a Networked World, held in Wellington at the end of April. “RealMe opens a world of possibilities for more services to be provided online,” said Peter MacKenzie of Internal Affairs.

Read the press release

Which organisations have signed with the RealMe® service?

The range of organisations offering access to online services using the RealMe® service will include government agencies and local authorities, as well as approved private sector businesses and agencies. A full list of the latest organisations to sign up will be available soon.