NZBN Business Passport: MBIE trials first government-issued digital credential for businesses

MBIE has started trialling the NZBN Business Passport, a digital credential in the Govt.nz app that lets businesses prove their identity and who can act for them, with less repeated paperwork. The invitation-only trial starts with selected Westpac business customers, and Westpac is currently the only organisation that will accept it.

New Zealand businesses will soon have a faster, more secure way to verify and share business information, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) says. MBIE announced on 3 November 2026 a trial of the NZBN Business Passport, a digital credential that lets a business verify and share key business information, including that a person is able to act on its behalf. MBIE says this can reduce paperwork and manual checks when dealing with other organisations.

The passport uses information held on the NZBN Register and is stored in the Govt.nz app's digital wallet. It can be shared online, or shown in person and checked using the Verify Me app. MBIE says it is the first government-issued digital credential and the second accredited under the Digital Identity Services Trust Framework.

Who can use it now

The trial is by invitation and starts with Westpac NZ, which is currently the only organisation that will accept the passport. Selected Westpac business customers will be invited to apply, and participants will be able to link their passport to Westpac One for Business. Alongside a verified bank account credential issued by Westpac, MBIE says this gives a secure way to verify business identity and bank account details online. Other businesses can register interest on the NZBN website.

Why it matters

"Businesses are often asked to provide the same information to multiple organisations," said Alan Carnaby, MBIE's Acting Head of Digital Business Enablement. "The NZBN Business Passport will allow businesses to securely reuse trusted information, reducing paperwork and improving productivity and efficiency."

According to the NZBN website, the passport is held by the business in the Govt.nz app rather than stored centrally, and the holder chooses what information to share and with whom. Phil Weir, Deputy Secretary at the Government Digital Delivery Agency, said the Trust Framework Authority had independently assessed the passport against privacy and security requirements.

MBIE says it is engaging with other banks and organisations interested in using the passport, and that feedback from participating businesses and Westpac will inform future decisions about wider adoption and additional digital credentials.

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